A Narrow Concrete Home In São Paulo
- Words
- Jessica Jungbauer
On a narrow passage in a residential neighborhood of São Paulo, architecture practice Terra E Tuma transformed a crumbling concrete building into a residential haven for an elderly woman.
“We used our recent experiences in exposed, structural wall blocks to erect a low-cost building, with great control and agility.” The woman had lived in the house for decades and would have needed to move out had the home not been renovated – so the team behind Terra E Tuma joined forces to modernize it within the constraints of a tight time frame and limited budget. ‘Vila Matilda House’ features a sleek interior with exposed brick walls. Additionally, there’s a green courtyard on the ground floor, which can be accessed through the various living areas and kitchen, and a vegetable garden on the ceiling.
Speaking of the process behind the renovation, the architects say: “In early 2014, the house showed clear signs of deterioration and began to collapse. Ms. Dalva went on to live at a relative’s house. The new house had to be built as fast as possible, else her expenses would completely consume all savings. We used our recent experiences in exposed, structural wall blocks to erect a low-cost building, with great control and agility.”
All images © Pedro Kok