TETRO names 'seriema house' for the native birds that roam brazil

Seriema House: A Tranquil Retreat by TETRO arquitetura

Seriema House, designed by TETRO Arquitetura, is located in a peaceful, secluded area on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Accessing the house requires crossing a mountain range, which creates a clear sense of transition from the bustling urban environment to the serene, nature-filled surroundings. This unique site offers a complete integration with its natural environment, inviting visitors to leave behind the noise of the city and enter a tranquil space. The architects write: ‘By leaving behind the noise of the city, visitors enter a serene environment, fully integrated with nature.‘

images © Luisa Lage

A Home Designed for Reflection and Connection

TETRO Arquitetura sites its Seriema House within the landscape of Brumadinho, an area that reveals two distinct settings — a vast, open view of the mountains on one side, and a dense, tree-filled forest on the other. This balance between the expansive landscape and the shaded refuge allows the house to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The house is named after the seriemas, native birds of the region, which roam freely around the property, reinforcing the connection between the home and the local wildlife.

The architects envisioned Seriema House not just as a home but as a space for reflection, reading, and gathering with friends. The resident’s desire was for a retreat that encourages moments of pause and contemplation, creating an environment where architecture speaks in harmony with poetry. The house was designed as a place where the experience of the landscape, quiet moments, and social interactions come together.

Seriema House is located in a peaceful, natural setting near Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The Poetic Expression of Space

Seriema House by TETRO Arquitetura translates the idea of poetry into architecture through its design. A key feature is a winding wall that divides the house into two distinct areas. On one side, the space is open, bright, and full of sound, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. This area invites activity, movement, and interaction. On the other side, the atmosphere shifts into a quieter, more introspective space, sheltered by the surrounding forest, ideal for rest and reading. This duality in the design reflects the house’s function as both a gathering space and a retreat.

The material palette, carefully selected by TETRO Arquitetura, enhances the home’s connection with the natural landscape. The winding wall, clad in dark stones, contrasts with the white stone floor, creating a visual interplay that highlights the home’s relationship with its surroundings. This use of stone throughout the house defines its aesthetic and reinforces the idea that the house is not just a structure but a living, evolving experience. Seriema House reflects its environment — as the design team writes, the home is ‘time, river, mountain, cave. It is, above all, poetry.

an open area offers bright spaces with mountain views, while the other is a shaded retreat for rest