BOSSA NOVA - BARRINGTON

This home is built into the hillside of a wooded lot, surrounded by aged oak trees. Our client wanted a light-filled home influenced by Brazilian modern architecture. Program requirements included a walk-out lower level, family gym, expansive gardens, and a garage to accommodate the owner’s Italian sports car collection.

 

The exterior is defined by monolithic forms and a horizontal composition. A wood and steel brise-soleil—a design element common in Latin American architecture—deflects sunlight from the second floor. The 40ft cantilevered loggia extends into a glass corridor, emphasizing the open air design.

 

Upon entering the home, guests are greeted by a sculpted steel stair in a double-height foyer. The interior has an edited material palate: white oak floors and cabinetry, steel, slab porcelain, and matte Fenix are repeated throughout the design to create a cohesive aesthetic. A large gym on the second floor facilitates the family’s active lifestyle.

 

The open-plan main living space is bookended by two design elements. At one end, kitchen cabinets integrate into the wall and feature a horizontal window backsplash that provides panoramic views. At the other end, a stone and oak panel wall relates to the kitchen, including a linear fireplace that mirrors the backsplash widow.

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From the great room, a deck cantilevers over the hillside, offering space for entertaining and enjoying the environment. The lower level is flooded with natural light, opening to the landscape through a glass wall system.

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Sustainable elements include durable and recycled materials, high-efficiency mechanicals, a tight thermal envelope, and drought-tolerant plantings.