Casa Baro by Passarelli Arquitetos

Presented by Arkos | Ornare | Tecnofeal

_project: Casa Baro
_architecture: Passarelli Arquitetos
_location: Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil

Some architectural projects have the power to challenge our perception of space, creating unexpected experiences through bold design choices. Barô House, designed by Passarelli Arquitetos, is one such example. With striking elements like a concave pool and a floating staircase, the residence plays with visual continuity, gravity, and movement, leading its inhabitants through an ever-evolving spatial narrative. More than aesthetic statements, these features emerge as natural responses to the terrain, integrating with the landscape while redefining traditional notions of structure and form.

Situated on a sloping site, Barô House takes full advantage of its topography, using the descent of the land as a guiding element for its architectural solutions. According to the architects, “The solutions adopted were always a consequence of understanding the topography and how the house should be placed. Since we used the slope as a fundamental architectural principle, these solutions emerged naturally and organically.” Every decision, from spatial distribution to materiality, respects the site's characteristics, resulting in a project that is both sculptural and deeply rooted in its context.

One of the most striking features of the house is its concave pool, which not only creates a strong visual impact but also interacts dynamically with both the architecture and the surrounding landscape. The design allows for a unique perception from different vantage points within the house. “When you arrive at the pool, it is fascinating to see how it changes depending on your perspective. From the living room, you perceive the water surface as an almost infinite extension. As you descend the stairs, you see the water flowing along its side, and from the lower level, you grasp its full grandeur.” Despite its ambitious design, the architects highlight that the technical challenges were resolved naturally throughout the project’s development, integrating with the overall composition.

The floating staircase adds yet another sculptural element to the residence, creating an interplay between lightness and structure. Suspended with a precision that makes it appear almost weightless, it embodies the project's balance between aesthetics and function. “For us, it is always crucial to respect architectural proportions to preserve a pleasant aesthetic. The staircase, like the pool, follows the same principles. Its form emerged as a response to the project’s unfolding, inviting users to experience the space from different angles and perspectives.”

Architecture, at its core, is about crafting spaces that shape human experience. Whether through dramatic sculptural forms, innovative material applications, or integration with nature, architecture has the power to go beyond functionality and evoke emotion.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter
_cover and image scroll by Fernando Guerra