Baroneza: A Masterpiece of Modern Minimalist Architecture

Simone Mantovani's Award-Winning Design Blends Open Spaces and Transparency

The Baroneza residence, located in a residential condominium near Sao Paulo City, Brazil, is a 1,200 square meter weekend house that stands out for its distinct blocks, accommodating different functions such as living, services, and sleeping. The house is surrounded by gardens and interconnected by a comfortable two-level stair, creating a seamless flow between the spaces.

The design inspiration for Baroneza was to create a space that encourages a modern and bold lifestyle of complete spatial integration. The architectural language was applied to dramatize the effects of light, creating a spatial game of volumes and forms. Overlapping volumes of varying heights and glass walls were combined to enhance the feeling of transparency and open space, in a minimalist style.

The unique properties of Baroneza include the dramatism of the blinded main facade, emphasized by a natural stone wall, providing privacy to the glass living area. The height and transparency of the living spaces, along with wide glass panels, create a feeling of being inside the garden, transforming the living room into a large covered terrace.

The realization of this design involved meticulous planning and selection of finishing materials, including plain white walls, natural Brazilian stones Black Slate and Pedra do Mato, and wood decks. The absence of door spots at pivot doors and glass walls promotes wide ambiances, emphasizing the open house design.

The design's interaction promotes intense interaction and coexistence between individuals, thanks to the philosophy of essential architecture that brings greater value to the spaces. The integrated ambients were the keys to the success of this project. The conception and technical drawings of this project took five months, and its construction took around one year.

Baroneza's design faced challenges, particularly with the height and transparency of the living and dining space and the large sliding doors. These presented significant technical and structural challenges, but they were overcome with careful planning and execution, resulting in the project's greatest extravagance.

The Baroneza residence was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation. This design is a perfect example of modern minimalism, spatial integration, open spaces, and transparency, offering an immersive experience of integration with nature.