Renda House

After years of weekly commuting to their vacation home, the owners, with married children and newly arrived grandchildren, decided it was time to a new chapter in their family life. In the condominium that had been home to many memories and where their emotional ties were firmly established, an old house with a larger area, situated on the same street as their previous residence, became available on the real estate market. Recognizing the potential for intervention and the convenience of the location, they quickly acquired the property. To lead the renovation project, they invited Brazilian architect André Luque to create a “refuge” that balanced comfort and modernity.

The original three-story building had been uninhabited and without maintenance for several years. The first visit revealed outdated architectural elements and a rotting wooden roof structure. Initially, demolishing the entire building and constructing a new one seemed like the most straightforward solution. However, Luque chose an approach that prioritized respectful interventions in line with sustainable principles.

The project preserved the programmatic organization between floors, adjusting levels of privacy and integration. The first two floors were retained, while the top floor was removed to make way for a new addition made of laminated wood.

The structural system adopted is notable for its strength and durability, particularly in coastal regions exposed to humidity and harsh weathering. The choice of a flat roof, without a ridge, highlights the building’s slenderness, giving it a horizontal dimension of 24 meters that harmonizes with the surroundings. The beam extends outward to define the eaves that protect the facades.

Aluminum and glass frames frame coastal landscape, while a solar protection system, adapted for the north-facing facades, ensures thermal comfort without compromising integration with the outdoors.

In one of the early conversations, the owner, a collector of Brazilian folk art, showed the architect some lacework pieces (“Renda” in portuguese) – a traditional technique from Brazil’s Northeast, where threads are intertwined with the help of small wooden spools called “bilros.” The delicate patterns inspired the design of panels that define the graphical plasticity of the residence – also alluding to the organic shapes of marine sponges, typical of Brazilian beaches.

The architect manually designed the pattern, which was then digitized and refined with the help of specialized software, taking months of adjustments and modifications until the final version was reached, with unique compositions for each panel. Three full-scale prototypes created and tested on-site to assess how the pieces interacted with natural light and their relationship with privacy.

The execution was carried out by Clamom, a Brazilian company specializing in technological engineering solutions for design, responsible for the digital parametrization, dimensional refinement of openings, and the production of 5mm metal sheets, cut with a laser. The finish is electrostatic white paint for greater durability and resistance to the elements.

This protective layer filters natural light while allowing the breeze to circulate. These elements are part of the project’s bioclimatic strategy, aimed at optimizing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in the house. By reducing internal heat gain, the panels contribute to a cooler and more pleasant environment, while minimizing dependence on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling systems throughout the day.

Outside, the perimeter guardrail, which extends from the staircase to the first floor, covered with Moledo stone, while the edge beam of the upper slab is clad in wooden slats. The combination of natural materials reinforces the architectural character, which seeks to integrate with the surrounding landscape.

The ground floor houses the garage and technical areas, which are more enclosed. The main access is through an interstitial space that defines the transition between the outdoors and the social wing. As a gesture of welcome, a small sanctuary honors the spirituality of the homeowners and symbolizes the protection of the home. Surrounded by white walls and a stone panel, a ceramic sculpture of the saint, brought from the old residence, delicately lit by an indirect lighting system. A wooden bench invites moments of prayer.

On the first floor, the social wing includes the living room, dining room, game area, gourmet area, and barbecue. To delineate each area, the furniture arranged to define the layout of the program.

The sand-toned floor extends to the exterior to create continuity between the spaces. White, inspired by the foam of the sea waves, predominates on the walls and ceiling, bringing freshness and brightness to the spaces. The blue of the water appears intermittently in the furniture and art pieces.

In the living room, the layout is oriented toward the center of the space, encouraging socializing and conversations. The composition includes a turquoise fabric sofa and a pair of Verso armchairs – designed by Brazilian designer Julia Krantz, made from solid cut, glued, and pressed wood. Adjacent to this area, a circular table – Balloon in solid wood base and top, by Estúdio Bola – surrounded by Nolita chairs from Pedrali, provides support for the game area.

As an extension of the main kitchen, which is enclosed and dedicated exclusively to food preparation, the gourmet space and barbecue area integrated into the dining room. The gourmet area features a linear stone countertop (Travertino Grey marble) for preparing drinks or appetizers, while the joinery houses the wine cellar, cigar humidor, and a glass cabinet.

The barbecue counter has the same stone top, and the lower masonry covered in tiles with nautical illustrations, referencing the region. The composition completed by Girafa stools – the original 1987 design by Italo-Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi, re-edited by Marcenaria Baraúna.

The dining room, with an Amorfa table designed by Brazilian designer Jacqueline Terpins, comfortably accommodates 12 people and complemented by a set of Nolita chairs (Pedrali). The tables arranged around the space double the seating capacity for family events.

The walls and decoration throughout the living areas feature pieces of folk art, including paintings, crafts, vases, and sculptural objects collected during the homeowners’ travels across Brazil.

The landscaping design, by landscape architect Julieta Fialho – who was born and raised on São Paulo’s northern coast – reflects her deep knowledge of local botanical species. The proposal offers a thoughtful curation of regional flora, valuing native vegetation and creating an outdoor space that directly engages with the local ecosystem.

The elevated pool follows the height of the guardrail that runs along the entire veranda. From this space, one can enjoy the landscape and the songs of native birds in the area.

Access to the upper floor is via a monolithic concrete staircase, illuminated by a skylight above. In the corridor leading to the bedrooms, a planter at the back of the stairs visually brings greenery indoors.

The intimate wing houses the TV room and six suites, including the master suite and one for each of the couple’s children, as well as children’s rooms for the grandchildren. The glass panels maintain the visual connection with the sea, and all suites have access to a shared balcony, ideal for moments of rest and contemplation.

Emphasizing the atmosphere of coziness and well-being, custom-designed joinery was created for the bedrooms: the headboards are made with half-height wooden slats, similar to wainscoting, while vertical wooden slats define the separation to the bathrooms without obstructing the visual connection. The original lacework that inspired the design of the panels on the facades specially incorporated into the decor of the master suite, framed and applied to two panels above the headboard.