This rural retreat integrates with the environment, creating an art-filled refuge from hectic city life. Originally from Rio, our clients sought to incorporate Brazilian elements into a home that harmonizes with the land. The project brief called for open plan living with every room accessible to the outdoors. In this tranquil setting, the structure becomes a sculptural object—a contemplative space offering our clients a layered architectural experience through which to interact with nature and their art collection.

The wooded site slopes down to a rustic lake. To reduce the impact on the land, we designed the front elevation as a low, one-story structure. Approached by a winding drive through a meadow of native prairie plantings, the home appears to be a small contemporary cabin with a garden wall. This space serves as the entry and a lofted lounge. Primary living spaces, bedrooms and secondary spaces are below grade, embedded into the hill and concealed by a green roof.

Inside, the home unfolds as you descend the stairway. Varied ceiling heights, abstract angles and multiple points of light create dynamic spaces that changes as you progress through the house, offering display space for art. A continuous sloping roof guides you from the entry to the terrace below, serving as a datum as you immerse in the landscape.

We intentionally selected a palette of natural materials that would gradually transform with age, celebrating the passage of time. Cedar cladding will fade as the sun weathers the geometric form. A Cor-Ten steel front door and louver system will oxidize with exposure. And a copper island in the kitchen will patina with use, highlighting lived experiences.

A distinctive element is the triangular entry structure. This form alludes to communal houses, known as malocas, used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin. A maloca, or “house of the people,” is a revered community gathering place distinguished by a prominent triangular roof to signify its importance. We explored this archetype in the roof because the symbolism is meaningful to our clients: it has roots in their homeland, and their essential goal for the project was to create a gathering place for loved ones.

The structure is embedded into the hill, keeping the home cool in summer and minimizing energy use. Sustainable elements include a high-performance thermal envelope, durable materials, LED lighting, radiant floor heating, and a photovoltaic solar array with a battery storage system.

Category:Green ArchitectureYear:2025Location: Saugatuck, Michigan, USAArchitects:dSPACE Studio ArchitectureGeneral Contractor:Zahn Builders, Inc.Design Team:Robert McFadden, Brandon McKenzie, and Kevin ToukoumidisClient:PrivatePhotographers:Ty Cole