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Project posted by Gilda Meirelles Arquitetura

Casa do Lago

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The new suite was designed with sliding wooden brise-soleil doors that open directly to a stunning view of Baroneza Lake.
The new suite was designed with sliding wooden brise-soleil doors that open directly to a stunning view of Baroneza Lake.
An outside view of the game room, a standalone volume fully open to the surrounding fields.
An outside view of the game room, a standalone volume fully open to the surrounding fields.
The project’s connective spaces create pathways through the garden, inviting residents to engage with the landscape at every turn.
The project’s connective spaces create pathways through the garden, inviting residents to engage with the landscape at every turn.
The game room opens fully to the surrounding Atlantic Forest, creating a seamless connection with nature.
The game room opens fully to the surrounding Atlantic Forest, creating a seamless connection with nature.
Open-plan layouts are used throughout the project to create fluid, connected spaces.
Open-plan layouts are used throughout the project to create fluid, connected spaces.
Glass panels in the living areas create a visual thread that weaves the house into the surrounding nature.
Glass panels in the living areas create a visual thread that weaves the house into the surrounding nature.
Exposed wood and a palette of soft neutrals give the home a cozy, sheltering feel.
Exposed wood and a palette of soft neutrals give the home a cozy, sheltering feel.
A welcoming living space that stays visually connected to the garden through large panes of glass.
A welcoming living space that stays visually connected to the garden through large panes of glass.
Natural materials like wood and stone foster a sense of connection between the house and its surroundings.
Natural materials like wood and stone foster a sense of connection between the house and its surroundings.
All rooms and volumes open up to continuous views of the lake at Quinta da Baroneza.
All rooms and volumes open up to continuous views of the lake at Quinta da Baroneza.
A traditional ceramic tile roof contrasts with the infinity pool, creating a playful dialogue between classic and contemporary elements.
A traditional ceramic tile roof contrasts with the infinity pool, creating a playful dialogue between classic and contemporary elements.
The newly integrated kitchen brings color into the shared spaces, with blue cabinetry and red appliances forming a vibrant, contrast-rich design through color blocking.
The newly integrated kitchen brings color into the shared spaces, with blue cabinetry and red appliances forming a vibrant, contrast-rich design through color blocking.
Seen from another angle, the kitchen reveals a design that plays with color while preserving the elegance of natural, refined materials.
Seen from another angle, the kitchen reveals a design that plays with color while preserving the elegance of natural, refined materials.
A balcony with panoramic views of the lake and the lush forest landscape.
A balcony with panoramic views of the lake and the lush forest landscape.
An artisanal lake runs beneath the corridors and around the house, visible through a glass floor that gives the impression of walking on water.
An artisanal lake runs beneath the corridors and around the house, visible through a glass floor that gives the impression of walking on water.
The infinity-edge pool reflects the home’s architecture at dusk, amplifying the play of light and form.
The infinity-edge pool reflects the home’s architecture at dusk, amplifying the play of light and form.
At night, the house comes to life - its lighting accentuates the architecture, adding depth and dimension to the project.
At night, the house comes to life - its lighting accentuates the architecture, adding depth and dimension to the project.
In the evening, focal lights enhance Alex Hanazaki’s landscaping, revealing the garden in a more dramatic and intimate light.
In the evening, focal lights enhance Alex Hanazaki’s landscaping, revealing the garden in a more dramatic and intimate light.
Brise soleils allow light to filter in and out of the house, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow throughout the day.
Brise soleils allow light to filter in and out of the house, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow throughout the day.

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From Gilda Meirelles Arquitetura

The owners of this house, which has a beautiful view of the lake and the forest in Quinta da Baroneza, in Brazil, have always been fans of Gilda Meirelles Arquitetura's work. When they found a ready-made residence designed by the firm—originally tailored for another resident who eventually had to move—they fell in love at first sight.

Over time, the large family began visiting the house more frequently—on weekends, holidays, and vacations—and realized they needed more space to accommodate everyone comfortably, including occasional guests. To address this, they purchased additional neighboring plots, expanding the total area to 1,300 m².

The new plan focused on expanding and refining the garden and leisure areas, now enriched with a beach tennis court complete with a support area, a game lounge, and a home theater. The service areas were also upgraded, incorporating a new kitchen, a dedicated breakfast room, and staff accommodation. In the pool section, all surfaces and finishes—worn down over time—were fully renovated. Furthermore, a new suite was added at the homeowners' request, designed with sliding wooden brise-soleil doors that open directly to a stunning view of Baroneza Lake.

As part of the renovation strategy, the land was reshaped to create a new entrance, only made possible by the expanded property. The terrain's natural slope was cleverly utilized to conceal the garage beneath the new beach tennis court.

Designed as a countryside retreat from city life, the landscaping—crafted with great expertise by Alex Hanazaki— plays a key role in highlighting the architecture.

Since the original project was designed by the same firm and the owners were highly pleased with it, the architects preserved its style while modernizing the finishes and incorporating new coverings and structural elements. The color palette, wooden framing, and stone cladding were carefully curated to harmonize with the natural surroundings, ensuring a fluid connection between the architecture, the countryside, the forest, and the broader landscape.

The greatest challenge—which ultimately became its greatest strength—was seamlessly integrating the old project with the new. The most striking feature is how the house appears to have been designed as a single, cohesive project, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between the original structure and the newly added elements.

Technical Information:

Photography: Pedro Mascaro

Landscaping: Alex Hanazaki

Engineering: Epson Engenharia

Wooden Frames: Mado Esquadrias de Madeira

Location: Quinta da Baroneza