São Francisco Xavier House

The São Francisco Xavier House, built for Gianfranco Vannucchi and Lilian Ring, with architecture by Königsberger Vannucchi, is situated on a steeply sloped terrain, offering views of Serra da Mantiqueira in São Francisco Xavier, a district of São José dos Campos.

On the first floor, the residence is divided into three distinct blocks. The two side blocks are designated for the bedrooms and their respective bathrooms, covered by gardened slabs that integrate with the local vegetation. The central block, with a wooden shingle roof, houses the social living space, including the fireplace area and the balcony. A slight inclination of the south block enhances the opening of the social area to the surrounding landscape of the mountains and native forest.

Externally, a large wooden deck connects the blocks, creating a spacious area for socializing and enjoying nature. At one corner, a pool lined with dark ceramic tiles reflects the region’s constantly changing sky, adding a dynamic element to the scenery.

On the lower floor, there is a small spa and a guest suite, both designed with openings that emphasize the surrounding landscape.
The pure and simple geometry that guides the house’s layout is also reflected in its interior. The composition of solid and void spaces is highlighted by a play of niches, shelves, and volumes, such as the niche that houses the refrigerator.The integration with nature and the sense of coziness are reinforced by the choice of simple finishes, such as cement floors with red pigment, cumaru wood flooring, and white pebbles. Exposed concrete slabs and textured whitewashed plaster also contribute to enhancing these attributes.
Photo: Pedro Vanucchi