Living in the jungle

After the cool whites and blues of the beach house in South Africa, how would you feel about living in the  jungle? Brazilian architect Arthur Casas obviously loves the idea, since he designed this stunning retreat for himself  in Iporanga, less than two hours from Sao Paulo. The building structure is a simple squared volume covered in Brazilian teak – camaru – with large full height windows that bring nature in. The house, whose key elements are symmetry and simplicity, is so well integrated with its surroundings  it almost seems that there are no boundaries between interior and exterior.

Timber flooring unifies the interior, adding warmth without becoming overbearing. The suspended fireplace becomes the focal point of the sitting area, with its contemporary modular seating brightened up by ethnic fabric; a few, well chosen pieces of furniture, like the quirky little table, and the  leather chair and footstool, add character to the room. The essential cantilevered staircase almost seems to float, and reinforces the simplicity of the whole interior.

Each area of the open plan interior flows harmoniously into the others; the dining area, with its sleek table and Bertoia chairs,  gradually merges into the kitchen.

White is predominant in the décor, opening up the space and offering the perfect background for the beautiful views framed by the windows, showcasing nature as art.

Built with materials that harmonise with the landscape – wood, stone, and glass – this stunning house opens up towards the exterior; the timber floor extends to the decked area, where stone steps reminiscent of ancient remains lead to the green swimming pool, perfectly integrated with the jungle.

I wonder what it must be like  sitting in the deck at night, taking in the sounds of the jungle,  a canopy of stars over your head…

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