The Carmona family in Brazil has created a modern compound near São Paulo that allows them to live together while maintaining individual spaces. Led by furniture designer Etel Carmona and her daughter Lissa, the project integrates with the natural surroundings, utilizing local materials and artisans. The compound features distinct homes clustered harmoniously within the landscape, fostering family connections while respecting individual privacy.
In Brazil, a family has successfully established a unique living arrangement in a modern mountainside compound located outside São Paulo. The furniture designer Etel Carmona, along with her adult children, has created a residence that allows them to coexist harmoniously while maintaining individual spaces. The genesis of this project began in April 2020, when Carmona, at 78, was inspired by the landscape of Serra da Mantiqueira, a childhood haunt recommended by her son, Nelo Augusto, aged 49.
Carmona’s journey back to her roots was prompted by her desire for a family refuge after decades spent in São Paulo. Initially, she had moved to the city for education and later relocated to Louveira. Frustrated with furniture options, she established a woodworking atelier in 1985 that has since expanded into a design studio and gallery, run by her daughter, Lissa. The family legacy of design and craftsmanship is evident in their approach to creating their new mountain home.
The design process for the compound required thoughtful collaboration, especially from Lissa, who, despite her delayed visit, reimagined the proposed structure. She argued against a large building, advocating instead for smaller, interconnected dwellings that would integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape. This approach not only preserved the tranquility of the site but also respected the unique ecological environment.
Working with the São Paulo architectural firm AR Arquitetos, Lissa and her family ensured that local artisans familiar with the region’s climate and materials would contribute to the construction. Their design employed traditional approaches woven into modern aesthetics, including a three-bedroom house for Carmona and a shared communal pavilion finished with locally sourced materials reflecting their values and the area’s beauty.
The compound features diverse spaces, such as a shared pavilion with a kitchen that emphasizes family togetherness and separate living spaces tailored to each family’s needs. The architecture reflects the surrounding natural beauty, particularly with features that dissolve into their foggy morning backdrop. This careful blending of structures within the landscape allows the family’s homes to feel interconnected yet distinct, fulfilling Carmona’s vision for a harmonious living arrangement.
In sum, the Carmona family’s innovative approach to building a mountain compound demonstrates how modern architecture can respect natural landscapes while accommodating the needs of family cohesion. By utilizing local materials and traditional craftsmanship, they have created a harmonious home that balances individual living spaces with shared communal areas, exemplifying a new way to live together and apart.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
