Photo of a contemporary family home.

Architecture and interior: Equipe Lamas

About Studio

LAMAS is an architecture, design, and engineering studio based in Brasilia. The studio is led by the founder, civil engineer Ruy Lamas, and his son, architect Samuel Lamas, the company’s creative director.

When it was created in 1987, LAMAS operated exclusively in civil construction and, since 2010, the studio creates and develops architectural projects and authorial furniture. LAMAS seeks simplicity, usefulness, and solidity in its projects and products designed for the human experience today.

A modern family home that doesn't skimp on aesthetics.
A modern family home that doesn’t skimp on aesthetics.
The furnishings are placed against a neutral material palette of inexpensive materials that have been tastefully combined to create an appealing appearance.
The furnishings are placed against a neutral material palette of inexpensive materials that have been tastefully combined to create an appealing appearance.
The house has glass walls that provide for a view of the outside vegetation.
The house has glass walls that provide a view of the outside vegetation.
The open-concept living space is the focal point of the large one-story house.
The open-concept living space is the focal point of the large one-story house.
All of the flooring are polished concrete, and the masonry walls have been painted white to provide a crisp background for the vibrant decor.
All of the floorings are polished concrete, and the masonry walls have been painted white to provide a crisp background for the vibrant decor.
Combined dining room and kitchen with a sizable covered terrace facing the pool on the south.
Combined dining room and kitchen with a sizable covered terrace facing the pool on the south.
The direction of the house and the interior design were influenced by the existing site limitations as well as the need to protect native trees.
The direction of the house and the interior design were influenced by the existing site limitations as well as the need to protect native trees.
With to full-height movable windows that encourages indoor/outdoor life, the bedroom is also designed for natural light and ventilation.
With to full-height movable windows that encourage indoor/outdoor living, the bedroom is also designed for natural light and ventilation.
To provide warmth, plywood paneling was put on the cabinetry and ceiling.
To provide warmth, plywood paneling was put on the cabinetry and ceiling.
The deck's purpose was changed to one that was more laid-back and in tune with nature.
The deck’s purpose was changed to one that was more laid-back and in tune with nature.
Then a "tea house" with high tables and light chairs was added, along with a row of little support tables along the side bench.
Then a “tea house” with high tables and light chairs was added, along with a row of little support tables along the side bench.
 A southerly view that faces the pool outdoors.
A southerly view that faces the pool outdoors.

Simple and low-cost materials combine in the Itaipu House, a contemporary family home that doesn’t compromise on looks despite its relatively modest construction budget. Architect Samuel Lamas, of the Brasilia-based architecture firm Equipe Lamas, designed the four-bedroom home within a condominium complex near Lago Sul, Brazil.

Completed this year for a construction cost of approximately $189,000, the modern dwelling minimizes its energy bills through solar water heaters and passive solar design. Spanning an area of nearly 3,800 square feet, the spacious single-story home is centered on an open-plan living area, dining room, and kitchen that open up to a large, south-facing covered terrace that looks towards the pool.

The master bedroom and two secondary bedrooms are located to the east of the living spaces while the flex guest bedroom, service areas, storage, and garage are to the west. Existing site conditions as well as the desire to preserve native trees informed the orientation of the house and the interior layout, which are also optimized for natural light and ventilation thanks to full-height operable glazing that promote indoor/outdoor living.

The furnishings are set against a neutral material palette of low-cost materials elegantly fitted together for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The floors throughout are polished concrete while the masonry walls have been painted white to serve as a clean backdrop for the colorful, contemporary artworks that punctuate the home. Plywood paneling was installed for the ceiling and the cabinetry to lend a sense of warmth.

The most reserved lounge was intended for dinner, business meetings, and musical events. It was decided to insert a single dining table that accommodated a number of close the seats offered by the living environment. The elongated shape of this room allows a second more playful use with the layout of a piano.

It reserves around the piano a free space to be used in eventual auditions with various instrumentalists. The choice of a bench provides seats for the auditions without obstructing the view of the piano, which defines and protects the space. The insertion of an artistic armchair next to the piano strengthens the playful spirit suggested by this environment.

For the deck was assigned a more relaxed use and connected with nature. A “tea house” was then inserted with high tables and light chairs and one along the side bench arranged small support tables.

For the closet, defined as a completely enclosed space, we opted for the use of a wall of mirrors, which eliminates the feeling of a corridor. Furniture in vibrant colors and natural fabrics establishes a playful and purist atmosphere.

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