ÍCARO Single-story House: fluid living with nature

Investigation and Concept

The project is an experiment where architecture acts analogously to Physarum polycephalum, the blob, a single-celled, brainless organism with high regenerative and learning capabilities. Just as P. polycephalum responds and develops directly in reaction to physical and chemical stimuli from the environment, contemporary incorporation architecture often shapes itself uncritically to the programmatic elements of the market.

Located near the Barigui Park in Curitiba, the project emerges from the intersection of tangible elements of the land – program, sunlight, and views – leading to the geometric deformation of architecture. The result translates the pragmatic intersection of these elements. The reasoning permeates the secondary scale of the building, where the mapping of planter heights reflects a practical mapping that is directly proportional to privacy.

Inspired by biomimicry, the project represents, or critiques, the zeitgeist of contemporary Brazilian incorporation architecture.

The coexistence of the built and the natural

The third project by ARCHITECTS OFFICE in partnership with AG7, Ícaro - Single-story House reveals a new perspective on living, in intimate connection with private woods, a lake, and spaces dedicated to well-being, security, and comfort. The suspended houses provide a contemporary experience, where the tangible – precise geometry, slope, and volumetry – intertwines with the intangible – the desire for a broad, fluid, family-centered life, connected to nature.

The four towers that compose the residential park were carefully designed to coexist with the natural environment that surrounds them. Each one brings its own identity, shaped by the unique topography and surrounding vegetation. Inspired by the simplicity and adaptability of nature, the architecture adjusts to the land, respecting the peculiarities of the permanent preservation area in Curitiba.

The volumetric development of the towers is marked by horizontal lines, while the dense vegetation and the meticulous curation of natural materials – such as stone and wood – reinforce the harmony with the greenery. Planters strategically distributed ensure privacy for the residents and contribute to an atmosphere of well-being.

An architecture that embraces the surroundings

On the 20,000m² site, the integration between the built and open spaces creates continuous areas for interaction with the native vegetation. Common areas branch out organically, blending the constructed space with the surroundings. Designed with a processual and environmentally respectful approach, they feature courts, wellness spaces, and party halls, providing an immersive experience in nature. An architecture that embraces its surroundings, establishing a delicate balance between the urban context and the natural.

The 38 residential units, ranging from 350m² to 1200m², bring well-being associated with greenery to the heart of daily life. Each apartment has been designed with flexibility, featuring slabs that allow for specific customizations, including balconies of up to 400m² and private pools. The modularity of the facades and the floor-to-ceiling expansiveness offer owners the freedom to configure social, private, and service spaces, promoting a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor.

This fusion of functionality, comfort, and connection with nature gives each suspended residence a unique value. ÍCARO Single-story House not only proposes a new way of living, but also materializes an integrated ecosystem where ethical architecture finds its balance amidst preserved nature.