Ramella Arquitetura received a brief from their clients in Estrada do Mar, Xangri-La, on the coastline of the Rio Grande Do Sul in Brazil to build a home using the American concept of both a large Bay Window and a shingled roof. The resulting design presents a facade of staggered roof volumes springing from the ground in alternating heights creating a repetitive pattern of grey and white. The visual is one of fluidity and connection. The design breaks from the tradition of minimizing the impact of the roof while highlighting the facade and it does so in a way that is creatively exciting.
The side view of the home showcases the symmetry of the home especially within the central roofline and just as the roof becomes the wall, a central skylight becomes a window allowing natural light to flood the social zone within. Just above the window/skylight is a small dormer that further emphasizes the symmetry of the planes.
The two sections of the Shingle House on either side of the central roofline also focus on symmetry of size but while the volume on the left is a solid and private facade, the volume on the right is full of glazings.
The glazings continue around to the back of the home and cover the complete facade. Large and angles pillars mimic the roofline on both the sides of the home and on the open arbour that extends over the terrace.
Just in front of the terrace is a pool clad in multi shades of blue mosaics and a similar toned blue hammock is suspended from the open arbour support columns.
While the arbour features an open framework, it can be easily curtained off as the need arises. Furnished with a spa, seating area and flower planters, it is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon in the sun – unless you would rather take a dip in the pool just beyond.
The spa tucks up to a stone pony wall that doubles as a a tabletop for those using the spa and a place to sit.
While the terrace presents a place to relax and enjoy the sun, the home itself is fitted with large expanses of glazings that can be opened wide for an indoor outdoor lifestyle. The area just inside the glazings is both attached and separate from the social zones, creating an atrium effect.
The atrium area boasts both a fully equipped bar and a seating area that can be used for snacks, drinks or games. While open to the rest of the social volume, a beam extends through the opening acting as a division from the dining area just on the other side.
The dining area is flanked by the kitchen and living zones and is presented in a minimalist white on white decor with the exception of the chair cushions and the pottery on the table.
The predominantly white palette with moments of blue is a repeating story throughout the home chosen to reference marine decor. This shades of blue on white is only changed on the facade with grey replacing the blue.
While the kitchen is within a single storey ceiling height, the dining area is positioned directly below the highest point of the double volume. This point then slopes down past the living area to meet up with the angled wall that holds the skylight/window or stylized bay window.
The living room is a comfortable and cozy arrangement that includes two royal blue easy chairs and a large off-white sectional all positioned to enjoy evening vistas of flickering flames within the fireplace.
During the day if the sun is too hot, a shade within the skylight can be closed via remote control.
The dining and living areas of the lower volume are positioned next to the atrium and opposite the atrium is a stairwell that leads up to the piano room and a hallway that leads past the kitchen.
The kitchen is a modernist flat panel cabinetry aesthetic with a blue shade so dark it is almost black located on the backsplash. This super dark backing to the cabinetry really makes the white pop while the feature wall of midnight blue next to the bar peninsula creates a continuum to the uber dark planes. Love the large clock on the wall.
The hallway just past the kitchen is treated like a gallery space with a collection of blue art hung in such a way that the chef can enjoy the vignette. Large canvasses of art are also hung on the stairwell to continue the gallery feel.
Below the stairwell is the sideboard for the dining area. Rather then showcasing blue accessories, the homeowners chose instead to play up a white on white visual to minimize the impact of the stairwell.
The hallway is an awesome example of how to play up the various ways of highlighting a blue and white scheme. On ones side of the hall you have a white wall with a white on white vignette, a collection of blue art and a sculptural white cabinet that features voids within its doors. On the other side you have blue walls with presumably white art hung on the walls.
The steadfast story of blue is only broken by the warm shades of amber and rose within the two canvasses above the stairs and the broken tiles glued onto the pizza oven just outside the kitchen window.
Once upstairs the additional colour of green is introduced via the palm tree within the white planter. Although this is the only place green is used, it is prevalent in the landscape through the window glazings.
Ramella Architects
Photography by Marcelo Donadussi
