The Tres Picos nature reserve, located in Nova Friburgo, a Brazilian municipality in the mountains of the interior of Rio Bonito, provides the background for this small house devised as the residence-retreat of the director of the Museu de Imagens do Inconsciente (Museum of Images of the Unconscious) of Rio de Janeiro. Its proximity to the river became an essential factor when designing the house, built on two stone walls of 1,10 meters in thickness and which support four steel beams that hold the concrete slabs. In this way, hovering over the terrain, the house is protected from humidity and weather conditions, and at the same time rises slightly to enjoy the views of the river that flows by the house.

The weighty character of the structure contrasts with the lightness of the enclosure used in the main facade, an opening measuring ten meters wide and protected by five large windows of clear glass with sliding frames of aluminum. The interior illumination is rounded off with two skylights on the sides that bathe the kitchen and bedroom with natural light. Outside, a stone staircase leads to the terrace, a vantage point to watch the stars at night and enjoy the landscape...[+]