Two Arquitetura Design an Immersive and Harmonious Forest House

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an immersive and harmonious forest house design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Two Arquitetura.

An important part of the project was not having to choose between the joy of summer or the warmth of winter, the intimacy of a family movie or the togetherness of many friends of all ages. The house has cozy corners and large spaces to gather, allowing people to enjoy the forest at any time of the year. The idea was to ask the forest for permission to belong to that place that is hers. The house is not the final objective, but the experience of being in contact with nature and all that it offers.

What was the client’s brief? 

The great challenge given by the client was to integrate the house and highlight the beauty of the forest, transmitting an immersive and harmonious experience. It was to offer a versatile house, to enjoy during the summer and at the same time the warmth of the winter, in addition to providing moments of intimacy in the family and togetherness with friends of all ages.

What inspired the design of the project?

The inspiration came from the wonderful rainforest. Bedrooms, halls, bathrooms, leisure area were all relocated so that it was possible to have a view of the forest, hear its sounds, feel its humidity and live with its animals. We literally turned the house the other way, the forest side. The experience went beyond the limits of the house, seeking to establish a connection with nature, allowing visitors to feel part of this natural environment. The experience is complete: waking up early and seeing the forest, sleeping late, and listening to it. The idea was to ask the forest for permission to belong in that place that is hers. The house is not the final objective, but the experience of being in contact with nature and all that it offers.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The original house, before the renovation, was all made of wood and had dozens of pilasters along the circulation path. To make the span free and maintain the original charm, we chose to remove most of the pilasters but keep part of the wooden structure, complete with steel beams, which brought a special charm to the project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight of the project was to integrate the house into the forest, highlighting its beauty and transmitting an immersive and harmonious experience.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We signed up for the SBID award, mainly because it is an international award with great prestige, where we would be evaluated not only by a qualified jury, but later by popular vote. A form of mass recognition, and now with a possible very important award for those who work with architecture and interior design.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist for the SBID Award in the residential category with the Praia da Baleia Project, in addition to the importance of the award and recognition of our work, brings the opportunity to show the world a contemporary project with characteristics of Brazilian architecture immersed in the typical nature of our beaches.

Questions answered by Karina Salgado, Founder of Two Arquitetura.