Upper level with private bedrooms and main sitting area in the casa celeiro timber retreat.

Casa Celeiro: A 1,108 m² Timber Retreat Embracing Nature in Minas Gerais

2026-10-21

A Harmonious Blend of Modernity and Landscape

In the serene setting of Delfinópolis, Minas Gerais, Casa Celeiro stands as an expansive contemporary house by Filipi and Mariana Oliveira alongside their team at MF+Arquitetos. This impressive 1,108 m² residence, known as the timber retreat, elegantly blends contemporary design with its natural surroundings, situated majestically on the shores of a vast reservoir.

Spacious main bedroom featuring sliding glass walls and natural light. — The main bedroom has sliding glass walls

Design and Structure of the Timber Retreat

The residence is defined by a striking single-storey pitched timber roof, running north-south, which extends beyond the building to create shaded verandas. Constructed from glue laminated timber, the roof embraces an inner core comprising five ensuite bedrooms. The principal suite, located at the northern end, features expansive sliding glass doors that merge indoor luxury with the outdoor landscape, embodying the essence of this unique escape.

Vaulted living area at the center of the timber barn house. — The vaulted living space in the heart of the barn

Open living space with vaulted ceilings in the central barn section. — The vaulted living space in the heart of the barn

Interior and Exterior Spaces

At the heart of the structure is a grand living room, the only space that stretches to the full height of the pitched roof. The surrounding verandas, adorned with adjustable glazed and louvred panels, ensure fluid connectivity with the outdoors. On one side, a smaller kitchen, gym, and utility spaces complement a spacious covered terrace, while a staircase descends towards the water. This timber house provides a special environment that fuses architecture with the natural terrain.

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Aerial view of the waterfront setting surrounded by nature. — Birds-eye view of the waterfront site

Timber building facade with large windows amid a lush environment. — (Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

Seamless Transition to Nature

The lower level, partially submerged into the hillside, houses the main kitchen and living area, leading onto a pool terrace that faces the reservoir. This design creates a seamless blend between public and private spaces, drawing the landscape inward. The flat concrete roof of the lower level is inconspicuously planted, dissolving visual boundaries of the retreat.

Interior view highlighting wooden beams and modern furnishings. — (Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

Connecting Architecture and Terrain

Stone steps provide a gradual transition from the upper terrace to the lower pavilion, incorporating nature into the movement throughout the house. This thoughtful connectivity is echoed in the detached sauna, changing rooms, and subterranean storage facilities, showcasing elements of contemporary architecture.

Expansive view from the retreat over a tranquil water body. — (Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

The architects describe the residence as a study of contrasts: “barn-like in form but not in execution.” The design thoughtfully integrates wood, steel, concrete, stone, and vegetation, evoking a delicate balance of permanence and transformation within this timber retreat.

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Sunlit timber retreat nestled within a serene natural landscape. — (Image credit: Fernando Guerra)

Architectural Philosophy

“Casa Celeiro,” say the architects, “is simultaneously shelter and openness, form and void.” Retaining the memory of a barn, the structure reinterprets it through a modern lens, fostering openness to climate, movement, and landscape. It thus stands as a testament to innovative design and environmental harmony.

To explore more of their visionary work, visit MFmaisArquitetos.com.

Source: wallpaper.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the location of Casa Celeiro?

Casa Celeiro is located in the serene setting of Delfinópolis, Minas Gerais, on the shores of a vast reservoir.

What materials are used in the structure of Casa Celeiro?

The structure of Casa Celeiro uses glue laminated timber for the roof and incorporates wood, steel, concrete, stone, and vegetation in its design, creating a blend of contemporary architecture with natural elements.

How does the design of Casa Celeiro incorporate the landscape?

The design of Casa Celeiro creates a seamless blend between public and private spaces by drawing the landscape inward, with features like a pool terrace facing the reservoir and a flat concrete roof planted to dissolve visual boundaries. Stone steps also provide a transition from the upper terrace to the lower pavilion, incorporating nature into the movement throughout the house.