Aguá House / BOLO Arquitetos

Architects: BOLO arquitetos
Area: 180 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Alberto Ricci
Manufacturers: Atlas ceramicas, Cerâmica Martins, Deca, Yamamura
Lead Architects: Adriano Gaspari, Gustavo Dante, Hector Briqueze, Nicole Avelino
Structural Engineering: Rodrigo Gabriele
Landscape Design: Wolff Paisagismo, Rodrigo Gabriele
Technical Design: Hector Briqueze, Nicole Avelino, Gustavo Dante e Adriano Gaspari
Renders: Nicole Avelino, Hector Briqueze
Management: Adriano Gaspari, Gustavo Dante, Hector Briqueze e Nicole Avelino
Execution: Adriano Gaspari, Gustavo Dante, Rodrigo Gabriele
City: Caraguatatuba
Country: Brazil

Aguá House, a residential project by BOLO arquitetos in Praia do Capricórnio, Caraguatatuba, reinterprets the traditional summer house with a focus on structural clarity and material honesty. Designed as a weekend retreat for a family, the house addresses site constraints by inverting conventional spatial logic—placing private areas on the ground floor and communal spaces above. Exposed reinforced concrete, in-situ curtain walls, raw brick elements, and strategic glass openings define the aesthetic, blending brutalist and modernist influences. The upper floor maximizes views of the sea, mountains, and treetops, fostering a connection with nature, while the ground floor organizes four suites around a landscaped courtyard, ensuring natural light and ventilation within a compact footprint.

Aguá House was conceived following an analysis of the location. The 100m² plot on Praia do Capricórnio in Caraguatatuba is part of a subdivision established in the mid-1970s, and the clients aimed to build a new summer house on land that had been in their family for decades. The design sought to address pre-existing site conditions to create a weekend retreat that would serve as a family gathering space, ensuring both comfort and easy maintenance. To achieve this, the house was constructed using reinforced concrete, with a structural approach that minimized interference with the spatial layout. A significant portion of the structure was left exposed, while the inverted beam system was restricted to the upper floor to preserve visual openness throughout the project.

The design aimed to highlight the intrinsic beauty of the structure without relying on excessive finishes. The approach was guided by a commitment to material authenticity, a principle consistently valued in the architects’ work. For this project, concrete was used for the perimeter walls and facade, incorporating a curtain system cast in situ. Raw brick was introduced in both the cobogós and the spiral staircase leading to the upper floor. These key elements, along with common masonry partitions, strategic glass openings, and wooden window frames, define the house’s character. With brutalist and modernist influences, the design reflects the architectural principles the studio embraces.

The design responded to an analysis of the site’s constraints and the clients’ requirements, which included a spacious leisure area, ample natural light and ventilation, and four comfortable suites. However, the proximity of neighboring buildings and the limited plot size presented a challenge. To address this, the design reversed the conventional layout, placing the private areas on the ground floor and the communal spaces on the upper floor. Given that the house serves as a weekend retreat, this spatial inversion proved to be an effective solution.

The upper floor was designed as a bright, airy, and open space, maximizing views of the sea, mountains, and treetops to enhance the connection with nature. This level features a spacious, integrated living room and kitchen, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and an uncovered outdoor area that benefits from continuous sunlight.

The ground floor was designed as a comfortable and spacious area with ample natural light and ventilation, achieved through distinct solutions. Strategic openings and circulation paths were introduced to transform the three-sided enclosed space into a bright and inviting environment. This level houses four suites, two of which share a bathroom, all oriented toward a central landscaped courtyard that integrates nature into the interior. Furthermore, a wide circulation axis extends from the entrance door to the staircase leading to the upper floor. Near the entrance, a technical area with cobogós ensures both privacy and the controlled entry of light and ventilation.