a Country Retreat by saag arquitetura
PAB House by SAAG Arquitetura is a residential project designed with careful attention to site, scale, and spatial clarity. The home is located in the Brazilian countryside, within a natural setting that gently slopes and unfolds with native vegetation. It is organized around two L-shaped volumes that distinguish private and social uses while maintaining a cohesive relationship with the landscape.
The first block, reserved for private spaces, is designed with an austere material palette. Opposite it, the second volume opens generously to the surroundings, housing the living and gathering spaces. Here, floor-to-ceiling glass panels and large openings allow for uninterrupted visual continuity with the outdoor areas, supporting the architects’ intent to dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior.
images © Fran Parente
pab house strives for lightness
SAAG Arquitetura organizes the volumes of its PAB House to follow the subtle slope of its site. This is most clearly expressed in the pool’s organic outline, which traces the contours of the land instead of cutting through it. The result is a water feature that appears embedded in the terrain. Views are calibrated to balance openness with privacy. The visual relationship between the two blocks encourages a dialogue while maintaining separation.
Throughout the design, the architects emphasize a balance between structure and lightness. The more solid block is defined by rhythmic apertures that modulate sunlight and natural breezes. These openings introduce variety and texture to the facade and maintain the overall unity of the building. A subtle horizontal line delineates the transition between floors, reinforcing the layered reading of the architecture and articulating the relationship between the vertical and horizontal planes.
the house is organized around two L-shaped volumes that separate private and social areas
a rural silhouette with modern detailing
The roofscape of the upper volume takes cues from vernacular house forms, particularly the gable, but reinterprets them with a contemporary approach. A lightweight metal roof replaces traditional tile, resting atop a rectilinear base to create a sense of tension and equilibrium. This choice of materials, along with the crisp detailing, lends a modern expression while subtly referencing familiar rural silhouettes.
Materiality across the house continues the architectural themes of restraint and warmth. The palette includes cacao stone flooring, textured wood, and native plantings that weave through built and open spaces alike. The result is a residence that draws from its setting both visually and tactically. The home’s interiors suggest a layering of experience, where furnishings and collected objects bring texture to an otherwise composed architectural framework. The house becomes a container for stories.
the private block is dense and enclosed, while the social block opens fully to the landscape
the layout preserves existing vegetation and follows the natural contours of the land
an organically shaped swimming pool is embedded into the terrain rather than imposed on it
a reinterpretation of the traditional gable roof introduces modern materials and form
natural stone floors and rustic wood elements bring warmth to the restrained architecture
facades feature rhythmic openings that provide natural light and ventilation
project info:
name: PAB House
architect: SAAG Arquitetura | @saagarquitetura
location: Brazil
design team: Amanda Castro, Giovana Giosa
photography: © Fran Parente | @franparente
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