Ponte House / TETRO Arquitetura

Architects: TETRO Arquitetura
Year: 2024
Photographs: Joana França
Manufacturers: Cosentino, Bontempo, CLW, Continente Inox, I9 climatização, Jardim e Cia, LR Coelho, Lfs soluções metálicas, Lohn Esquadrias, MG Superfícies, Nardi Piscina, Terraço Paisagismo
Category: Houses
Leading Architect: Carlos Maia, Débora Mendes e Igor Macedo
Other Participants: Bruno Bontempo, Bianca Carvalho, Bruna Maciel, Saulo Saraiva, Sabrina Freitas,
Structural: MV estruturas
Electrical and Plumbing: CA engenharia
Lighting Consultants: Allume
Landscape: Jardim e Cia; Terraço Paisagismo
City: Florianópolis
Country: Brazil

Casa Ponte, a residential building designed by TETRO Arquitetura in Florianópolis, Brazil, has engaged the island’s distinct coastal geography and symbolic infrastructure to inform its design approach. Positioned on a seaside slope facing the continental mountains, the house is shaped by the surrounding natural context, where the sea, rocks, and iconic Hercílio Luz Bridge serve as key references. The residence incorporates steel-structured eaves and perforated metal plates to manage sunlight and formally reference the bridge, merging function with contextual expression. The structural system consists of two beams supported by pillars, around which the social and private areas are organized, while a suspended pool projects toward the sea above lower bedrooms. Natural stone surfaces appear within the interiors, reinforcing the link to the local terrain. The westward orientation of Casa Ponte ensures framed views of the continental sea and the Serra Catarinense mountains, anchoring the daily experience of the residents in a continuous visual connection to the changing coastal landscape.

Florianópolis is an island located off Brazil’s southern coast, where the natural landscape is prominently defined by the presence of the sea and surrounding mountains. The beaches, known for their clear waters and white sand, are distinguished nationally by the notable occurrence of rocks emerging from the sea. The island lies approximately 800 meters from the mainland and is connected by three bridges, the most prominent of which is the Hercílio Luz Bridge, a longstanding symbol of Florianópolis since its construction.

Within this landscape, Casa Ponte stands on a seaside slope facing the continental mountains, presenting a design that responds sensitively to its environment and asserts itself as an architectural expression extending beyond a purely residential function. Positioned along the shores of the Cacupé Sea, the residence integrates seamlessly with its context, drawing direct inspiration from natural elements and local features, particularly the nearby bridge and the rocks emerging from the water.

The strategy for managing solar incidence involves the use of large steel-structured eaves, emphasizing both efficiency and aesthetic consideration. This approach addresses functional needs by reducing the impact of the setting sun, while also referencing the Hercílio Luz Bridge through the use of steel and perforated plates, materials similar to those found on the bridge’s deck and replicated in the balconies of the house.

The main structural system of the house consists of two beams that rise from the terrain and are supported by two pillars. Around these beams, the layout organizes the bedrooms and social areas. A pool is suspended above two additional bedrooms and projects outward toward the sea at the lower level. Within the interior spaces, natural stone surfaces are exposed, establishing a direct reference to the surrounding landscape.

The deliberate westward orientation of Casa Ponte provides direct views of the continental sea and the mountains of the Serra Catarinense. This placement maximizes the visual impact of the surrounding landscape and establishes a distinct atmosphere for the residents, who experience a continuous sequence of shifting panoramas throughout the day.