House Ibiúna by Rodrigo Ohtake Arquitetura e Design

Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Ibiúna, a serene countryside town just 90 kilometers from São Paulo, House Ibiúna emerges as an expressive yet rational architectural statement. Designed by Rodrigo Ohtake—grandson of the famed visual artist Tomie Ohtake and son of the celebrated architect Ruy Ohtake—this weekend retreat redefines the possibilities of prefabricated modular construction. More than a family residence, the house reflects a multi-generational architectural lineage committed to experimentation, emotion, and the transformative power of form.

Prefabrication with a Twist: Rethinking the Modular

Born from an invitation by Syshaus, a leading Brazilian prefab construction company, the design challenge was clear: create a prefabricated home that resists the visual and spatial predictability of modular typologies. Rodrigo took this constraint as an opportunity—not to conform, but to reinterpret the system through the lens of expressive design. What emerged was a dwelling that simultaneously celebrates industrial logic and defies it, resulting in a home that is both efficient and emotionally rich.

Constructed primarily with metallic components, glass, and insulated panels, the residence was produced in just 90 days in the Syshaus factory and installed on-site in 30 days. The components were designed for easy transportation and precise assembly, demonstrating an architectural response to sustainability, speed, and cost-effectiveness without compromising character.

Organic Geometry Within a Modular Frame

What distinguishes House Ibiúna from other prefabricated homes is its playful manipulation of geometry, volume, and color. While the foundational logic is modular—volumetric rooms of predetermined dimensions—Rodrigo intervenes with bold curves, diagonals, and flowing spatial transitions that challenge the inherent rigidity of the system.

The roof garden, immediately visible upon approach, blends the structure into its natural surroundings. A set of self-supporting tiles, cleverly cut to accommodate curved forms, allows the architecture to breathe with the topography. The curved eaves and walls, contrasting with the rectilinear logic of the modules, soften the building’s mass while enhancing its visual identity.

Blue perforated steel brise-soleils—installed over bedroom modules—offer both privacy and sculptural presence, while aluminum-clad insulated panels wrap the house in a sleek, functional skin that reflects the light and shades of the surrounding forest.

Interior Fluidity and Social Openness

A defining gesture in the design is the spatial arrangement: the modular rooms are deliberately detached, creating interstitial voids that function as shared living spaces. These open, glazed volumes—serving as the living room, dining room, and kitchen—are framed with expansive aluminum windows and sliding glass doors, allowing nature to flow through the heart of the home.

This spatial separation not only enhances privacy but fosters a deep connection to the landscape, as every transition between rooms becomes an opportunity to engage with the outdoors. The decision to omit curtains in the bedrooms reinforces this vision: to wake up immersed in nature, uninterrupted and unfiltered.

A Home of Color, Curatorship, and Craft

The interior color palette is anchored by a bold orange hue, selected for its warm contrast to the deep green of the surrounding forest. The interiors radiate energy while maintaining a sense of intimacy and simplicity. Much of the furniture was custom-designed by Rodrigo, embodying his trademark sensitivity to proportion, materiality, and comfort.

Meanwhile, the artworks scattered throughout the home were curated by Rodrigo’s wife, Ana Carolina, an art curator, who infused the space with pieces that reflect the family’s cultural ethos and personal narratives. Together, the architecture and curation form a living environment that is at once personal, functional, and sensorial.

Sustainability and Speed in Harmony

With a total area of 180 m², House Ibiúna exemplifies how prefabrication, when thoughtfully designed, can achieve architectural excellence. By combining prefab efficiency with formal experimentation, Rodrigo Ohtake demonstrates that innovation need not sacrifice warmth, beauty, or connection to place.

This residence is not merely a weekend house—it is a manifesto. A dialogue between industry and artistry, speed and subtlety, modularity and emotion. In the spirit of the Ohtake family legacy, House Ibiúna pushes the boundaries of what a home can be: an architectural expression of freedom, joy, and thoughtful living.

Photography: Filippo Bamberghi