Pateo House | Vertentes Arquitetura

Set on a corner plot defined by a curved street and two different mandatory setbacks — five meters along one frontage and two meters along the other — the house results from a carefully considered site strategy. The brief called for a single-story residence conceived as an investment property, requiring a balance between construction economy, efficient use of the plot and spatial quality.

The project adopts a U-shaped layout adapted to the irregular geometry of the site. The bedrooms are staggered along one wing of the house, while an internal courtyard occupies a central position within the plan. The living area, kitchen and primary suite open directly onto this protected and landscaped outdoor space, establishing a close relationship between the interior and the garden.

The courtyard therefore acts as an extension of the social areas and as an everyday place for rest, while improving natural light and cross ventilation throughout the house. The primary suite also benefits from this arrangement, establishing a more private relationship with the internal garden. The remaining bedrooms face the exterior setbacks and follow the staggered geometry established by the site plan.

On the street façade, the predominantly horizontal character of the single-story house is interrupted by a concrete volume rising above the main roofline. Beyond giving the building a distinct presence, this element serves a spatial purpose: it increases the ceiling height of the living room and incorporates a clerestory that brings soft natural light into the interior.

The exposed concrete of the upper volume contrasts with the lighter surfaces of the ground floor, while perforated masonry elements filter the relationship between the house and the street.

The result is a compact and construction-efficient residence in which the constraints of the site become the starting point for the architectural solution. The U-shaped plan, internal courtyard and controlled variation in height create a distinctive house while maintaining a restrained construction strategy and a strong emphasis on natural light and spatial quality.