Escape to the Jungle – Minimalist Forest House

Escape to the forest: Minimalist Forest House

Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos in Portugal

This house, located in the beautiful natural setting of the Cávado River, is an intelligent reconstruction of an existing building that had been destroyed, based on the principles of modern minimalist architecture. The stark contrast between the forest and river around the house is an example of an extreme minimalist home design.

Side view: Minimalist Forest House

In many ways, the exterior design of the house is not especially flashy: there is no decoration, only an elongated box shape. The size and structure of the house were limited by the footprint of the destroyed existing building and by strict building regulations. The most spectacular aspect of this building is its independent structure, which allows the upper part of the house to appear almost weightless on the steep riverbank.

The architecture of the minimalist forest house

The simplicity of minimalist architecture helped the architects combine the building with the environment. The shape of this modest weekend retreat seems secondary to the magic of nature. So that the house would not dominate this protected natural area, it was successfully integrated into the site. The only important element of this minimalist house design is the exposed floor. The architects described the idea as follows:

From the first visit, the architects understood that the project would be highly ambitious, and that the environment had to be the most important basis for the construction.

Distant view of the minimalist forest house

The minimalist architectural style was chosen for this project because the primary purpose was clear: to create a wonderful, affordable escape from the city for a family that wanted to live closer to nature. Because of their favorite water sports, the family also wanted easy access to the river.

Stunning views from the house

The architects understood very well the importance of bringing the exterior view into the house. Therefore, it was built as an observation platform, or as a bridge between the residents and the spectacular view outside. The minimalist house design becomes a conduit for enjoying nature. For this reason, the exterior design of the house takes second place behind this important role.

Impression of lightness in the minimalist forest house

Jaz

Correia / BOYS