# Rugged Concrete Homes The 'Mipubu House' Has a Brutalist and Utilitarian Design By Joey Haar | Published 2016-08-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mipubu-house References: [archdaily](http://www.archdaily.com/792494/material-focus-casa-mipibu-by-terra-e-tuma-arquitetos-associados) & [terraetuma.br](http://www.terraetuma.com.br/) Located in the heart of Sao Paolo, Brazil, the Mipubu House takes a no-nonsense approach to the limitations that the building site imposes, ultimately turning those potential drawbacks into strengths. The house, built by Brazilian firm Terra e Tuma Arquitetos Associados, uses stark materials and a compact design to maximize its 170 square meters of space. At first glance, the Mipubu House looks like it took inspiration from a prison. Built with concrete blocks, moldings, aluminum grates and frames, the house is almost like a rough jail cell. But upon closer inspection, its intricate room layout, extensive use of glass walls and ample green space prove that it is actually a bright and cozy living space for a Brazilian family. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: South America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Rugged Concrete Homes:** Designing homes with rugged concrete materials and compact layouts to maximize limited space. - **Utilitarian Design:** Incorporating stark materials and minimalist aesthetics to create functional and practical living spaces. - **Maximizing Small Spaces:** Using innovative room layouts and extensive use of glass walls to create spacious and bright living environments. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Architects and designers can explore the use of rugged concrete materials and compact layouts to create efficient and visually striking buildings. - **Construction:** Contractors and builders can embrace utilitarian design principles to meet the demand for functional and durable housing solutions. - **Interior Design:** Interior designers can focus on maximizing small spaces through innovative room layouts and incorporating glass walls for a spacious and bright aesthetic. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Concrete Gridded Garden Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rua-polnia-house.md) - [Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-tsurumiku.md) - [Expansive Roofs Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-house-in-the-farm.md) - [Raw Concrete Industrial Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-nishizaki.md) - [Park-Nestled Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-serra.md) - [Contemporary Adaptable Concrete House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/binocular-house.md) - [Hillside Concrete Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concrete-house-1.md) - [Pyramidal Concrete Japanese Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyramid-hut.md) - [Blocky Stone Perimeter Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forte-house.md)