Articles by Susanna Moreira

Implanted on a rugged plot of land at the edge of one of the arms of the Ibiúna reservoir, in the interior of São Paulo, Casa CR JL emerges from a careful reading of the topography and the existing landscape. The project begins with an understanding of the steep slope of the lot and the strong presence of water as structuring elements of the architectural proposal. From the outset, a solution was sought that not only adapted to the land but utilized its characteristics as spatial and landscape potential. The residence was designed for a young couple, with the premise of accommodating transformations over time, which led to the adoption of a modular system capable of allowing coherent future expansions. Currently, the house features five suites, a direct result of this progressive growth strategy.

Implanted on a rugged plot of land at the edge of one of the arms of the Ibiúna reservoir, in the interior of São Paulo, Casa CR JL emerges from a careful reading of the topography and the existing landscape. The project begins with an understanding of the steep slope of the lot and the strong presence of water as structuring elements of the architectural proposal. From the outset, a solution was sought that not only adapted to the land but utilized its characteristics as spatial and landscape potential. The residence was designed for a young couple, with the premise of accommodating transformations over time, which led to the adoption of a modular system capable of allowing coherent future expansions. Currently, the house features five suites, a direct result of this progressive growth strategy.

About 30 minutes from Lisbon, with a privileged view of the Serra de Sintra, a project for a single-family dwelling of 420 m² is being developed, distributed across two floors above ground and a basement.

Located in a bucolic neighborhood of Canela, RS, Brazil, Casa Gralhas was designed as a weekend retreat for a couple with children. The layout of the residence aims to create spaces with a strong connection to the outdoor areas, while maintaining privacy. Three vertical planes of exposed brick are arranged longitudinally, defining two zones: one more enclosed for support and another for living, with transparent ends that facilitate a connection to the property’s gardens.

The flat terrain with generous dimensions, intended for a residence with a maximum area of 250 m², motivated us to position it in a way to maximize the interface between the covered program and the external areas. The resulting distribution follows a logic already tested in other residential projects by the office, where the circulation between the rooms is configured as covered passages, yet open laterally — without frames or masonry — to extend the experience between the interior and exterior.

Located on a steep slope in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Casa Ouro Velho folds and opens across multiple levels, establishing a continuous and respectful dialogue with the natural landscape and the exuberance of the Atlantic Forest. Designed as a direct response to the topography and surrounding forest, the project is organized into levels that embrace the terrain, establishing a continuous dialogue between architecture and nature, with precise cuts that ensure the preservation of the larger native trees on the lot.

Located on a steep slope in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Casa Ouro Velho folds and opens across multiple levels, establishing a continuous and respectful dialogue with the natural landscape and the exuberance of the Atlantic Forest. Designed as a direct response to the topography and surrounding forest, the project is organized into levels that embrace the terrain, establishing a continuous dialogue between architecture and nature, with precise cuts that ensure the preservation of the larger native trees on the lot.

The municipality of Cunha, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is a region known for its inland landscape, hilly terrain, and, especially, a major production of nationally renowned ceramics. It is within this context that the office messina | rivas has been working since 2017, with a set of projects located on a farm. Their work, which integrates design and construction in an indissociable manner, results in interventions that reveal a sensitive approach to pre-existing conditions and their surrounding environment.