Xingu House is a 1,500-square-metre residence in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, designed by Tetro Arquitetura. The home occupies an 8,000-square-metre site marked by existing stone walls, native forest, open plateaus and mountain views. Rather than altering these conditions, the design responds directly to them through a composition of elevated and ground-connected volumes.
The main section of the house rises six metres above the terrain, allowing the primary suites to overlook the surrounding landscape. Large concrete pillars support the structure while accommodating circulation and service functions, including bathrooms, a staircase, an elevator and utility spaces.
The residence is organized into three distinct wings. The elevated central volume contains the primary suites, while two additional wings extend onto plateaus formed by the existing stone walls and house guest accommodations. The project also incorporates a cave located on the property that is planned to serve as a future winery and cheese cellar. Raw concrete and the preserved landscape define the home's material and spatial character.
Image Credit: Tetro Arquitetura
What's Driving This Trend
- Elevated Terrain Homes
- Raised residential volumes are redefining premium hillside living by turning challenging topography into privacy, views and low-impact construction value.
- Landscape-preserved Architecture
- Designs that retain stone walls, native vegetation and natural plateaus point to a market for homes where ecological preservation becomes a core luxury feature.
- Subterranean Amenity Spaces
- Existing caves and underground formations are becoming distinctive residential assets for climate-stable wine storage, culinary experiences and experiential hospitality.
Who This Affects Most
- Luxury Real Estate
- High-end property markets can differentiate secluded estates through architectural integration with dramatic natural settings rather than conventional size or finishes alone.
- Residential Architecture
- Architectural practices are gaining new relevance through site-responsive structures that combine raw materials, elevated circulation and multifunctional support systems.
- Sustainable Construction
- Concrete residences that minimize terrain disruption suggest growth in building methods that balance structural ambition with reduced land alteration and long-term durability.
