Piecing Together Pilotis

Facing various topographical challenges, Simone Mantovani also had to discover a way to include everything the homeowners requested in a tiny 40×15-metre site

As with many cities around the world, population growth leads to building density and a lack of available land for development. The vibrant capital of São Paulo, Brazil, is no different. When approached by a client with a site measuring 40×15 metres, Simone Mantovani was not surprised; but when the client proceeded to tell her all their needs and desires, as well as the steep topographical qualities of the land, that’s when the challenge of Pilotis was realised.

Taking six months to plan the concept for Pilotis, every constructive element and material had to be carefully considered. The result of this extensive design process was a 700 square metres of floor space, split across four, overlapping concrete levels. With the ground level used as a garage, the main entrance is accessed via a grand staircase, providing an added sense of security and privacy for the homeowners. The main floor encompasses the families living quarters with very few walls and transparency from the interior and exterior to create a spacious, open floor plan. The second floor hosts the bedroom quarters and above this is a rooftop garden, designed for the family to enjoy the extensive view of their neighbourhood, as well as provide a space for a vegetable garden, photovoltaic power production, rainwater recycle and energy control system.

While the construction of four “floating” concrete levels worked with the topography of the site, Mantovani also considered the finishing materials and their influence on the buildings’ architectural language. In order to achieve balance, wood was chosen to complement the concrete façade. With wood detailing on both the interior and exterior of the building, the home was injected with a warm, humbling feeling, and a harmonious architectural language was achieved.

In the face of a small site and steep terrain, Simone Mantovani pieced together a concrete masterpiece that is of architectural beauty and a welcoming retreat for its residents.