Set within the lush residential landscape of São Paulo’s Pacaembu neighbourhood, this 1,467 m² residence, designed by Studio Arthur Casas, was conceived as a place to live, gather and grow — a lifelong home for a couple deeply rooted in their community. 

Despite spanning three levels across a dramatic 7-metre slope, the house remains deceptively grounded. From the street, it appears understated and sheltered, veiled behind verdant, forest-like landscaping. Beneath that quiet exterior lies a rich interplay of materials, light and structure, where sculptural concrete meets the warmth and precision of wood. 

At its core, cyclopean concrete defines the architecture: façades, internal walls, and even the subterranean tunnel were moulded in loco with hand-placed stones, creating a textured, tactile surface that anchors the house to its terrain. The result is a raw, tactile finish that roots the building firmly in its landscape. 

Contrasting with this monumental concrete, the project required timber capable of matching both its architectural ambition and the climatic demands of São Paulo. The timber needed to complement the scale and precision of the concrete while performing reliably under tropical conditions. 

Accoya was selected for the expansive overhead doors and façade elements, key features requiring exceptional dimensional stability, long-term performance, and a refined aesthetic. Supplied by Core Innovation in Wood, the timber delivered the precision and consistency necessary for these architectural elements. 

Large overhangs and sweeping spans meant that wood movement, warping, or weathering were simply unacceptable. Accoya’s inherent durability, moisture resistance, and guaranteed dimensional stability allowed the design team to realise a crisp, seamless façade that complements the monolithic concrete volumes. 

Additionally, Accoya’s lightweight nature was a decisive factor. In São Paulo’s humid, tropical climate, other timber species would have been too heavy, risking damage to the automated façade controls. This made Accoya not only a technically perfect solution but also a safer and more reliable choice for the operational elements of the home. 

Life unfolds across the house’s terraced levels. On the ground floor, living and dining areas open directly onto a veranda and pool, creating an effortless indoor-outdoor flow. Beneath, a gourmet area connects to the garden and a fish pond, blurring boundaries between leisure and landscape. On the upper level, bedrooms and intimate spaces rise into the treetops, offering calm, elevated views over the surrounding canopy. 

A striking glass floor above the pool filters daylight into the concrete tunnel below, where skylights punctuate the subterranean passage, creating a sensory sequence of light and shadow. 

Inside, the home balances a neutral tonal scheme with rich tactile and visual textures — marble, natural linen, leather, suede, bouclé cotton and wool — complemented by carefully selected furniture. These interior decisions echo the exterior’s material honesty: both concrete and wood serve as foundational elements of a cohesive, thoughtful whol

Pacaembu House stands as a testament to material honesty, craftsmanship, and spatial ambition from hand-placed stones to precision-built Accoya façades. With Accoya, the architectural vision could be realised at scale, confidently supported by its guaranteed 50-year warranty and proven long-term stability 

The result is a serene, enduring home: contemporary but grounded, open yet intimate,  a residence designed not just for the present, but to accompany its owners and their extended family over decades, rooted in its landscape, and crafted with intention. 

Architect: Studio Arthur Casas
Accoya Supplier: Core Innovation in Wood
Completion: 2023
Area: 1,467.32 m²
Photography: Fernando Guerra