architect flávio castro, who leads brazilian practice FCstudio, has designed a residence for himself in são paulo that features retractable metal wall panels. the appropriately titled ‘box house’ is located in a residential neighborhood on a corner plot that measures 20 by 10 meters (66x33ft). the setting directly informed the position of the building’s openings, while additional illumination is provided in the form of skylights and an inner patio.

fcstudio box house
all images by pedro kok

 

 

despite its prominent location, flávio castro chose to hide the house from the passing street. consequently, the structure appears above the site’s secure perimeter wall like an opaque box with no openings. residents and guests must first pass through a corten steel gate before reaching a hall where the scale and volume of the dwelling becomes apparent. the monolithic box is revealed to be resting on a glass box, which makes the upper level appear to float.

fcstudio box house
the design features retractable metal wall panels

 

 

the ground floor contains the home’s primary living accommodation, with the storey above accommodating the more private areas of the home. here, the adaptable miniwave panels can be configured to provide desired amounts of light, views, and privacy. finally, a rooftop terrace — conceived as a belvedere — is found on the uppermost level. elsewhere in são paulo, FCstudio has previously completed a fully integrated and flexible apartment, while the ‘planalto house’ appears to balance a pair of perpendicular volumes.

fcstudio box house
the ground floor contains the home’s primary living accommodation

fcstudio box house
the external patio is populated with lush greenery

fcstudio box house
the lower level also contains a large kitchen

fcstudio box house
the storey above accommodates more private areas of the home

fcstudio box house
a cantilevered staircase leads to the roof terrace

fcstudio box house
the rooftop has been conceived as a belvedere

fcstudio box house
residents and guests enter and exit via a corten steel gate

fcstudio box house
‘box house’ is located on a corner plot that measures 20 by 10 meters

 

 

1/8
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom
 
FCstudio box house sao paulo brazil designboom