Inside Casa Ankh | A Contemporary Home Designed as a ‘House of Life’

#contemporaryhome #homedesign #architecture
Inside Casa Ankh | A Contemporary Home Designed as a ‘House of Life’

Casa Ankh takes its name from the Egyptian term “per ankh,” meaning house of life. Designed as a living organism deeply connected to body, landscape, and daily rituals, the residence sits on a rural site in the countryside of São Paulo, responding sensitively to its natural environment and pronounced topography.

Positioned on a sloped terrain with expansive mountain views, the 455 sqm house is organized into four independent modules arranged around a central courtyard. This courtyard becomes the symbolic and functional heart of the project—offering natural ventilation, thermal comfort, and a serene moment of introspection, while uniting all volumes into a cohesive whole.

✨ Key Architectural Elements
• Four-Module Layout — Living, social areas, and kitchen form the main western volume, opening to sweeping landscape views. A deep concrete cantilever protects against the strong afternoon sun.
• Private Suites — The master suite integrates seamlessly into the main module, while the daughter’s bedroom occupies a mezzanine-style independent structure for greater autonomy.
• Creative Studio — Located on the eastern side, this flexible space functions as both workspace and family gathering room.
• Service Block — Positioned to the south, the garage and utility areas remain discreet and shielded from the access road.

The house sits slightly recessed below street level, achieving an optimal cut-and-fill balance and preserving unobstructed views of the mountainous surroundings.

🌱 Landscape as Architecture
Designed as an extension of the building, the landscape is divided into microclimates:
• An upper terrain inspired by the Brazilian cerrado, using resilient native species.
• Functional gardens near the kitchen, with aromatic herbs, produce beds, and small orchards that bring cultivation into daily life.

🪨 Materiality & Atmosphere
Exposed concrete slabs prioritize resilience and permanence, while deep cantilevers regulate sunlight and emphasize the bold geometry of the volumes. Natural, locally sourced materials—including earth-based wall finishes and expressive stonework—create a timeless aesthetic anchored to the site’s context.

Casa Ankh is more than a residence—it’s a harmonious convergence of people, materials, and landscape, forming a built environment intrinsically connected to the essence of life itself.

Architects: TAU Arquitetos - https://www.tauarquitetos.com/
Landscape Architects: Studio Zanskar - https://www.studiozanskar.com/
Photo: Lela Leme - https://www.lelaleme.com/
Floor: Portobello S.A.
Toilet: Celite
Faucets: Deca
Sink: Mekal
Location: Água Comprida, Bragança Paulista - State of São Paulo, Brazil
Project Year: 2025
Category: Private Houses
Primary Building Material: Concrete
Building Area: 455 m2

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#concretehouse #housedesign #modernhouse #tropicalhouse #brazilianarchitecture #brazil