In the interior of Sao Paulo state, a newly completed home is putting brick front and center, not as a flat facade, but as a sweeping roofline that bends with the landscape. The project, called Passive House, was developed after its owners started looking for a more self-sufficient lifestyle during the pandemic and asked Mareines Arquitetura to design a simpler retreat.

The defining move is a wave-shaped roof built in exposed brick, with a compact upper volume set on top. One portion of the brick curve dips downward, creating a strong silhouette while also functioning as a rainwater-collecting gesture. According to the design team, the roof channels that water toward the pool, turning the masonry surface into part of the site’s water story, not just its architecture.

For mason contractors, the most telling detail is what the architects say was the hardest part: building the curved form without losing a clean, precise look. They chose solid brick made from soil taken on the site, a material decision they linked to both sustainability and appearance. The team also had to reconcile the complex geometry with engineering demands so the fluid shape stayed functional and buildable.

Inside, the plan centers on a triangular yard enclosed by walls and planted with many species. The architects describe it as a reinterpretation of monastery cloisters, intended as a quiet, contemplative space. Nearly all the masonry is exposed brick, paired with wood and glass, with the design aiming to keep interiors comfortable without relying on mechanical systems.

The 1,350-square-meter house was completed in 2024. Beyond the visuals, it is a reminder that when brickwork is left exposed and asked to do more, shape, shade, and water control included, the craft and coordination behind the wall become the project.

Read the full, original article from freeyork here.