Houses are the most intimate structures we as architects can design. It is no coincidence that intimacy, security, and privacy are recurring concepts in residential architecture. Yet, like all architecture, houses are inevitably embedded in a context—an environment with which they must engage. There are many ways to achieve this, particularly within highly dense urban fabrics, as is the case in many Brazilian cities.
Architecture should not be treated as a collection of isolated objects detached from their site; rather, we must understand that the siting of a building is a direct response to its context. It is just as crucial to understand how sunlight, wind, and topography impact a project as it is to study how the design will relate to its neighbors and the street. This involves both determining the location and nature of access points and carefully considering the openings and materials to be used.
