A Brazilian family has created a harmonious mountainside compound allowing for both togetherness and independence. Etel Carmona, a furniture designer, returned to her childhood landscape to build a home with her children, incorporating local materials and artisans. The result is a modern retreat blending nature with innovative design, fostering close family ties while respecting individual space.
In Brazil, a remarkable family has discovered an innovative coexistence in a modern mountainside compound near São Paulo. Etel Carmona, a furniture designer, ventured to the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains after her son, Nelo Augusto, suggested she explore a plot of land amidst olive groves and coffee plantations. Upon awakening in the mist one April morning, Carmona felt an immediate connection to the landscape, prompting her to establish a country home for her and her three children.
Carmona, who moved to São Paulo in her teenage years and previously relocated to Louveira in the early 1980s, had not spent significant time near her roots. In 1985, she opened a woodworking atelier due to challenges in finding suitable furniture for her home. Over the years, her daughter Lissa expanded their family’s design studio to incorporate works from renowned Brazilian furniture designers, cultivating a rich legacy of craftsmanship.
Lissa eventually became a key designer for the family’s mountain retreat, yet it took her over four months to visit the property herself. She and her family initially envisioned a large house but Lissa opposed the idea, advocating instead for a collection of smaller dwellings that blended harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment. This decision was grounded in a desire to maintain the area’s tranquility and wild beauty while limiting excavation.
To ensure the project respected local traditions and materials, Lissa collaborated with the architectural firm AR Arquitetos, celebrated for their minimalist designs. They quickly conceived an effective site plan for the compound that maintained the local essence throughout the two-year construction journey. The design featured a three-bedroom home for Carmona, echoing traditional Portuguese farmhouses, alongside a shared pavilion designed for communal living.
The shared pavilion boasts a communal kitchen with locally sourced materials and incorporates an impressive stone stairway linking the various structures. Meanwhile, Lissa and Nelo Augusto’s family residence hovers above the landscape, designed to integrate seamlessly with the environment. The overall vision of the compound has resulted in a cohesive design that captures the essence of the mountains, allowing the family to thrive together while maintaining individuality.
In summation, the Carmona family successfully navigated the complexities of designing a modern mountainside compound that showcases their commitment to family, nature, and craftsmanship. Through collaboration, respectful architectural choices, and a focus on community, they created a living space that allows for both shared experiences and individual privacy, highlighting the beauty of their Brazilian heritage and their emotional ties to the landscape.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
