TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil

the suspended block is enveloped by a metallic brise-soleil that reads as a monolithic mass from the outside.

thomai tsimpou October 21, 2025 4 min

TETRO stacks four-level residence on a steep slope in brazil

Overlooking the Serra do Curral mountain range in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Lua House by TETRO is composed of a vertical sequence of terraces. The residence is built on a sharply inclined plot and organized into four stacked levels, each one designed as a belvedere, making it seem like it hovers.

The upper volume rests on four branching concrete columns that recall tree trunks, a gesture that allows air, light, and vegetation to circulate beneath. The suspended block is enveloped by a metallic brise-soleil that reads as a monolithic mass from the outside and filters sunlight and casts evolving shadows across the interior.

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 1 — all images by Luisa Lage

Lua House hovers between land and sky, aligned with the moon

A transparent atrium at the entrance acts as a transition zone between the dense urban fabric and the openness beyond. From this glazed pause space, the entire panorama of Belo Horizonte is revealed, while the vertical circulation connects the sequence of volumes above and below. Brazilian firm TETRO places the private areas, including the master suite and bedrooms, on the upper block, while two additional rooms complete the family’s program on this level. One floor down, the living room and kitchen extend outward toward a wooden deck and swimming pool. The lowest level, more reserved, contains the service spaces and an office, yet still keeps the horizon in sight.

The project’s name and orientation stem from the residents’ fascination with the moon, which rises behind the mountains that define Belo Horizonte’s skyline. Each evening, this celestial event becomes part of domestic life. The view turns into an experience, the architecture into a lens through which to witness it.

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 2 — Lua House by TETRO is composed of a vertical sequence of terraces

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 3 — the metallic brise-soleil reads as a monolithic mass from the outside

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 4 — built on a sharply inclined plot

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 5 — the upper volume rests on four branching concrete columns

tetro-residence-concrete-tree-like-columns-hills-belo-horizonte-brazil-designboom-large01 — the culumns recall tree trunks

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 6 — allowing air, light, and vegetation to circulate beneath

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 7 — a transparent atrium at the entrance acts as a transition zone

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 8 — the project’s name and orientation stem from the residents’ fascination with the moon

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 9 — the living room and kitchen extend outward toward a wooden deck

TETRO elevates house on concrete tree-like columns above the hills of belo horizonte, brazil - 10 — TETRO places the private areas on the upper block

tetro-residence-concrete-tree-like-columns-hills-belo-horizonte-brazil-designboom-large02 — the moon rises behind the mountains that define Belo Horizonte’s skyline

the vertical circulation connects the sequence of volumes above and below two additional rooms complete the family’s program on the upper level residents can also enjoy the views from inside the bathtub the view turns into an experience, the architecture into a lens through which to witness it 1st floor plan | all drawings by TETRO 2nd floor plan back facade front facade 1st floor underground plan 2nd floor underground plan section AA section BB

project info:

name: Lua House

architect: TETRO | @tetro.architecture

location: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

plot area: 477 square meters

total built area: 455 square meters

architects in charge: Carlos Maia, Débora Mendes, Igor Macedo

collaborators: Gregório Magno, Bianca Carvalho, Bruno Bontempo, Giovanna Giacomo, Luisa Lage, Carolina Amaral

construction: Real Construtora

structure: MVE Estruturas

hydraulic: Alexandre José Gonçalves

electrical: Antonio Sergio de Carvalho (FASE Engenharia e Projetos LTDA)

lighting design: Gilza Carvalho

windows, skylights & brise-soleil: Vitarka Esquadrias

interiors: Ana Flávia Souza Silva

granite: Pedras Paraná

vinyl flooring: Komlog

woodwork: Armários Nobre

automation: Josimara Andrade

wooden deck: Macal Madeiras

pool installation: Tecnosolar

landscaping: Nativa

photographer: Luisa Lage | @luisaglage