RDJ House by Jacobsen Arquitetura

Presented by NPK Mármores

_project: RDJ House
_architecture: Jacobsen Arquitetura
_location: Porto Feliz, Brazil

Architecture has the unique ability to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape, especially when approached with sensitivity to the terrain and surrounding environment. In forest reserves or protected areas, this relationship is even more vital, requiring architects to integrate the built form without disrupting the visual and ecological balance. The RDJ House, located within a forest reserve, has this connection between architecture and landscape into deep consideration, mimicking the terrain and minimizing its impact on the surroundings. By following the natural topography, the project seamlessly merges with the site, creating an intimate dialogue between the residence and its environment.

The RDJ House, designed by Jacobsen Arquitetura, takes full advantage of its location on a steep slope within a forest reserve. As the architects explained, “Our biggest challenge was ensuring that the house, the spa, and the tennis court unfolded progressively on the site without any visual interference. From the house, none of the other volumes are visible.” To achieve this, the residence was strategically placed on a higher plane, giving the appearance of a single-story house, despite its two levels. A winding descent leads the user to the spa and tennis court, positioned at progressively lower elevations. The semi-subterranean tennis court is a key example of how the architects sought to integrate the volumes without overshadowing the landscape, ensuring that the construction harmonized with the surrounding environment.

A defining feature of the RDJ House is its use of large glass panels, which blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. According to the architects, “The integration between interior and exterior is one of our main priorities. Large openings serve both cold and tropical climates by either allowing in sunlight or facilitating natural ventilation.” This approach, combined with natural materials like travertine floors and wooden ceilings, creates a timeless aesthetic and enhances thermal efficiency. These materials, chosen for their durability and ability to connect with the natural surroundings, contribute to a spatial continuity that extends from inside the house into the forest beyond.

The careful organization of the house’s volumes and the orientation of the intimate spaces create a unique living experience for the residents. “By working with different orientations, we were able to create new views, bringing the landscape into the project,” the architects note. This constant interaction with nature, facilitated by the architecture, shapes the daily experiences of the inhabitants and reinforces their connection to the place.

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

_drawings by Jacobsen Arquitetura:

1. Roof Plan

2. Floor Plan (1)

3. Floor Plan (0)

4. Pavilion's Roof Plan

5. Tennis Court Floor Plan

6. Pavilion's Floor Plan (1)

7. Pavilion's Floor Plan (0)

8. Tennis Court Roof Plan

9. Tennis Court First Floor Plan