The Muxarabi House, conceived by the design team mf+arquitetos, was erected in the setting of the Triângulo Mineiro and is characterized by a horizontal gesture that embraces the natural surroundings. From a distance, its silhouette is perceived as a defined line, contrasting the intense blue of the sky with the warm tone of the earth. The project avoids any abruptness, presenting itself with a serenity that demonstrates a deep understanding of the territory on which it is situated.
The approach is marked by a combination of elongated planes, where elements such as wood, metal, and earth harmonize in a controlled balance. The external space, vast and unadorned, serves as preparation for the philosophy guiding the entire venture: architecture must function as continuity, as flow, and as shadow.
In the center of the residence, the social area clearly evidences this intention. Under an extensive and light roof, the internal and external environments coexist without rigid barriers. Light penetrates filtered through the muxarabis and the openings cutting the wooden ceiling, projecting geometric patterns and delicacy onto the rustic surfaces. The furniture, of an organic and tactile nature, reinforces the feeling of refuge, while the open panels regulate the lighting with the precision of an artisan. Each element suggests that time in this place passes differently, more paused and attentive.
The walls built with raw earth define private patios and internal gardens that maintain a state of stillness. It is these reddish surfaces, resulting from the construction process, that connect the project to the Mineiro landscape. They mirror the territory, bringing into the inhabited space the memory of geological layers, cerrado trails, and the heat that dissipates at dusk.
At the rear, the house opens widely to the grassy area and the pool, displaying its most contemplative aspect. A large overhang provides extensive shade, establishing a smooth transition between internal life and the horizon. At this point, the golden light of the afternoon meets the concrete, wood, and earth in a chromatic palette that seems to emanate directly from the soil.
The Muxarabi House does not seek to impose itself but rather to integrate into the environment. Its beauty lies in the precision of the lines, the authenticity of the materials used, and the poetry inherent in the empty spaces. It is an architecture that prefers to listen before manifesting, allowing itself to be shaped by the landscape, the climate, and the light. It is a sanctuary that welcomes, without exaggeration, the natural rhythm of its residents and the constant movement of the wind passing through Uberlândia.
Thus, among the projected shadows, the permeable panels, and the walls that seem to breathe, the Muxarabi House establishes itself as a discreet manifesto of contemporary Brazilian architecture.
The design team presented a residential design located on the border between the urban area of Mohali and the village of Chunni Kalan. The house was built on a plot measuring 9 by 23 meters, overlooking a park, and was conceived for a couple with rural roots who wishes to maintain their traditional values.
The architectural proposal focused on creating a connection between the traditional lifestyle of Punjab and the dynamics of modern city life. Access is softened by a garden situated between the gate and the main door, where lawn, vegetation, and newly planted mango trees, alongside an arjan tree, frame the entrance, guided by floor-laid bricks.
The facade features a gradual curve inward, complemented by white eaves known as 'chajjas,' which provide shade to the wooden entrance door. Upon entering, the space becomes more compact under a dark stone mosaic floor, directing the gaze toward natural light further ahead. A side staircase leads to the upper floor.
The ground floor opens into a spacious double-height hall, called 'baithak,' which faces an internal courtyard. This space recalls the central function of traditional Indian homes as a place for collective gathering. Three high arches connect the 'baithak' to the courtyard, accentuating verticality and referencing local traditions.
The courtyard functions as a private refuge, and decorative elements such as projections of cut bricks and 'jaali' screens integrate functionality with ornamentation. By directing the rooms towards this courtyard, residents interact directly with nature, observing seasonal changes and the associated culture, prioritizing culture over mere form in the design.
On the ground floor, there is a guest room and an independent social bathroom. The first floor has two bedrooms and a common area that extends to a rear terrace overlooking the courtyard. The linearity of the spaces is broken by a geometric and sculptural arrangement. Round windows on the facade, openings facing the courtyard and the 'baithak,' and circular openings in the closed handrail of the stairs add moments of contemplation, maintaining the residence's playful proposal.
The architecture team dedicated itself to exploring themes such as light, materiality, and the need for deceleration. This involved analyzing how natural light traverses surfaces and how textures meet in the construction, valuing everyday details in a compact project. To optimize the structure and reduce foundation costs, the pillars were slightly moved away from the dividing wall, creating vertical glass voids that flood the textured walls with natural light.
This modification also allowed for the inclusion of horizontal skylights at the points of contact with the neighboring wall, illuminating rooms and, notably, bathrooms, which feature curved skylights. Considering solar orientation and thermal comfort, the two southwest-facing rooms were designed with upper openings and recessed windows to mitigate afternoon heat, lending depth and spaciousness to the living areas.
The conception process sought to honor simplicity and incorporate ancestral wisdom into the dwelling. The result is a space that provides a reflective pause, aligned with the concept of 'Sukoon,' which means satisfaction and mental tranquility.
