Located in Franca, São Paulo, this residence—designed by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture—is an embodiment of serenity set against a lush backdrop of native woodland. This architectural marvel stands on a site where the natural terrain gracefully shapes its concept.
Minimalist design wrapped in natural materials
The minimalist structure, characterized by its distinct blocks, is harmoniously integrated with the site’s topography. Concrete, wood, and stone dictate the material palette, imbuing each space with texture and character.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Inviting interiors connected to nature
Inside, the living room exudes warmth with wood accents and neutral tones, while a sculptural fireplace commands attention. Broad openings blend indoor and outdoor environments, inviting lush greenery into everyday scenes.
Casa da Mata in Franca, São Paulo, by Lucas Gonçalves Architecture combines minimalist volumes with exposed concrete, warm wood, marble, natural stone and expansive glazing, creating a modern home surrounded by native woodland.
Explore the living room of Casa da Mata, featuring warm wood, pale concrete, cognac leather seating, a sculptural fireplace, textured furnishings and wide openings overlooking lush tropical planting.
Explore the living room of Casa da Mata, featuring warm wood, pale concrete, cognac leather seating, a sculptural fireplace, textured furnishings and wide openings overlooking lush tropical planting.
Explore the living room of Casa da Mata, featuring warm wood, pale concrete, cognac leather seating, a sculptural fireplace, textured furnishings and wide openings overlooking lush tropical planting.
Wine cellar and intimate details
A passage from the living room leads to the wine cellar, office, and guest bathroom, accented by warm wood and textured masonry. Soft lighting enhances this intimate area, marrying elegance with functionality.
Explore the living room of Casa da Mata, featuring warm wood, pale concrete, cognac leather seating, a sculptural fireplace, textured furnishings and wide openings overlooking lush tropical planting.
Explore the living room of Casa da Mata, featuring warm wood, pale concrete, cognac leather seating, a sculptural fireplace, textured furnishings and wide openings overlooking lush tropical planting.
Dining area opens to garden views
The kitchen and dining space are seamlessly open to the garden. Warm wood ceilings contrast with cool concrete floors, while large windows frame the vibrant plant life outside.
Near the wine cellar, warm wood and textured gray masonry frame a compact vanity area, while a glass-fronted wine cellar adds depth and visual interest to the passage.
Near the wine cellar, warm wood and textured gray masonry frame a compact vanity area, while a glass-fronted wine cellar adds depth and visual interest to the passage.
Charred black walls, warm wood framing and a pale stone sink create a textured powder room at Casa da Mata, with daylight from above revealing the surface and restrained black fixtures completing the design.
Outdoor transition space
A deep, wood-lined roof bridges the indoor and outdoor zones. Tropical plants and a reflecting pool soften the hard architectural edges, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.
This open-plan kitchen and dining area at Casa da Mata combines natural wood cabinetry, stone surfaces, concrete floors, woven dining chairs and a rich wood-lined ceiling, with wide openings connecting to the tropical garden.
This open-plan kitchen and dining area at Casa da Mata combines natural wood cabinetry, stone surfaces, concrete floors, woven dining chairs and a rich wood-lined ceiling, with wide openings connecting to the tropical garden.
Swimming pool in tropical seclusion
Nestled among lush plantings, the rectangular pool is a serene escape. Concrete and stone accents underscore the natural backdrop.
The butler’s kitchen at Casa da Mata pairs warm wood cabinetry with cool gray concrete walls, stone surfaces and a textured ceiling, while a wide horizontal window frames greenery outside.
A deep wood-lined roof extends over Casa da Mata’s open living and dining area, creating a sheltered transition to the garden. Concrete floors, dark columns, natural wood furniture, tropical planting and a reflecting pool complete the space.
Primary suite: a tranquil retreat
The primary bedroom, adorned with warm wood and soft neutrals, offers views of the pool and gardens, merging comfort with natural beauty.
A deep wood-lined roof extends over Casa da Mata’s open living and dining area, creating a sheltered transition to the garden. Concrete floors, dark columns, natural wood furniture, tropical planting and a reflecting pool complete the space.
A deep wood-lined roof extends over Casa da Mata’s open living and dining area, creating a sheltered transition to the garden. Concrete floors, dark columns, natural wood furniture, tropical planting and a reflecting pool complete the space.
The rectangular pool at Casa da Mata sits among tall palms, broad green leaves, a simple lawn and pale concrete edges, with a textured stone boundary wall creating a private tropical setting.
Warm, elegant bathroom spaces
Bathrooms combine wood, stone, and bespoke lighting to create spa-like retreats. Private courtyards introduce greenery and natural light.
The rectangular pool at Casa da Mata sits among tall palms, broad green leaves, a simple lawn and pale concrete edges, with a textured stone boundary wall creating a private tropical setting.
The primary bedroom at Casa da Mata combines soft neutrals, warm wood, sheer curtains and a caramel leather lounge chair, with views toward the pool and tropical greenery outside.
Compact powder room with character
Behind the kitchen, a narrow powder room employs natural textures to create an inviting atmosphere, using full-height glass to flood the space with light.
The primary bedroom at Casa da Mata combines soft neutrals, warm wood, sheer curtains and a caramel leather lounge chair, with views toward the pool and tropical greenery outside.
Warm wood floors, full-height cabinetry and mirrored doors define the walk-in closet in Casa da Mata’s primary suite, with black-framed glazing and greenery outside adding contrast.
The primary bathroom at Casa da Mata combines warm wood cabinetry, pale stone and black fixtures with a long double vanity, full-height mirror and private planted courtyard.
Architectural drawings illuminate design
Diagrams reveal the project’s thoughtful composition, demonstrating how its pure forms integrate with the landscape.
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The primary bathroom at Casa da Mata combines warm wood cabinetry, pale stone and black fixtures with a long double vanity, full-height mirror and private planted courtyard.
Designed by Keniche Santos, this modern home masterfully combines minimalist elements and natural materials, reinforcing a profound connection with its environment.
A compact powder room behind the kitchen at Casa da Mata combines warm wood, pale concrete, a long stone vanity, full-height glass and natural decorative details.
Explore the architectural drawings for Casa da Mata, a minimalist forest house in Franca, São Paulo, organized into distinct blocks and shaped by the natural changes in elevation across the site.
What materials are used in the Casa da Mata house?
The Casa da Mata house uses concrete, wood, and stone as its primary materials, imbuing each space with texture and character.
How does the Casa da Mata combine indoor and outdoor spaces?
The Casa da Mata features broad openings that blend indoor and outdoor environments, inviting lush greenery into everyday scenes. The kitchen and dining space are seamlessly open to the garden, with large windows framing the vibrant plant life outside.
What is the design focus of the primary suite in the Casa da Mata?
The primary bedroom is adorned with warm wood and soft neutrals, offering views of the pool and gardens, merging comfort with natural beauty.
