The privileged view of nature was the key to this project in the mountainous region of Nova Lima - MG. An adventurous couple with no children chose us to design this special project on a very exclusive plot.

The steeply sloping terrain posed a challenge and at the same time heralded the solution for the house. Extensive views of the forest and, further ahead, of Morro do Elefante, justified the adoption of the maximum level allowed for the social floor, in order to overcome the treetops. The front façade became the side façade and the side façade became the main façade of the house.

The steep slope of the plot gave rise to a house on 3 different levels. On the first floor, there is a garage, laundry room and storage rooms. On the first floor, the social program was distributed in an integrated way, with an office integrated into the living room and a guest suite, and on the second floor the residents' suite, with the most privileged view.

A slight angle to the east of the suite and barbecue area was essential to capture the morning sun and the region's predominant ventilation, while at the same time helping to protect the first floor from the setting sun, since a blind concrete wall helps to block the radiation inside the building. With a predominantly L-O orientation, the house opens up to the north, almost overlooking the landscape. Extensive eaves surround the north façade of the house, protecting the openings from the sun in summer while allowing the glazing to receive the solar radiation needed to naturally heat the interior of the building in winter.

Two trees were precisely located by the surveyor, at the architects' request, so that they could be kept in the middle of an elevated deck that connects the house with the heated swimming pool suspended from the ground. They also act as a filter for solar radiation, minimizing sunlight entering the living room and kitchen.

At the client's request, a 25-meter lane is a fundamental part of the volumetric composition of this residence. Supported by two concrete pillars, it raises the edge of the pool 6 m above the natural ground, giving those in the pool visual contact with the treetops and Morro do Elefante beyond.

With the capacity to generate approximately 1,400 kW of energy per month through photovoltaic panels, the house is self-sufficient in energy, heating the pool water and neutralizing the costs of equipment and artificial lighting.

Pillars and ribbed slabs represent the construction system. The use of exposed concrete in the gables of the house, pool and slabs brings the desired timelessness to the project.