Casa Areia, A Rustic Mediterranean Reinterpretation by TWO Arquitetura
Architecture Design of Casa Areia
Description About The Project
Casa Areia by TWO Arquitetura is a sensitive renovation and expansion of a traditional caiçara house, blending preserved vernacular architecture with a rustic Mediterranean design language.
The Project “Casa Areia” Information:
- Project Name: Casa Areia
- Location: Praia da Baleia, São Sebastião – State of São Paulo, Brazil
- Designed by: TWO Arquitetura
Reimagining a Casa Areia Through Mediterranean Sensibility
Casa Areia, designed by TWO Arquitetura, is a renovation and expansion project that reinterprets a traditional caiçara-style house through the lens of rustic Mediterranean architecture. Rather than imposing a new identity, the project is rooted in continuity — allowing the original structure to remain legible while carefully layering new textures, colors, and spatial relationships.
The architects approached the intervention as an act of dialogue between past and present, where preservation and transformation coexist in balance.
“The project was guided by respect for the original caiçara architecture, allowing it to evolve rather than be replaced,” the architects explained.
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Preserving Structure While Refining Spatial Atmosphere
One of the defining decisions of Casa Areia was the preservation of key architectural elements of the original house. Existing masonry walls, pitched roofs, and the expressive cathedral-style ceiling were retained, reinforcing the home’s vernacular character and structural clarity.
The exposed wooden beams, now accentuated by indirect lighting, establish a rhythmic ceiling plane that enhances depth and warmth throughout the interiors. Light becomes an architectural tool, revealing textures and celebrating the craftsmanship embedded in the original construction.
“By highlighting the existing structure, we allowed the house to express its own history through light and material,” the design team shared.
A Cohesive Interior Inspired by Boutique Hospitality
Throughout Casa Areia, the interior design follows a unified architectural language inspired by rustic Mediterranean dwellings and boutique hotels. Natural finishes, earthy tones, and tactile surfaces are consistently applied across all spaces, from social areas to private suites and bathrooms.
This continuity dissolves hierarchies between rooms, ensuring that every space contributes equally to the overall experience of comfort and retreat. The architecture encourages slow living, where spatial calm and material authenticity define daily life.
“We wanted every space to feel welcoming, as if the house were a small hotel designed for living rather than staying,” the lead architect noted.
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The Pergola as a Mediating Architectural Element
The most transformative intervention in Casa Areia takes place outdoors. A large pergola was attached to the original structure, extending the house both physically and conceptually. This architectural gesture reshapes the relationship between interior and exterior, creating a generous shaded zone dedicated to leisure and social life.
With a bamboo ceiling punctuated by skylights, the pergola filters daylight and softens the tropical climate. Beneath it, the program unfolds fluidly, accommodating a gourmet kitchen, living area, fire pit lounge, and spa zone — all conceived as part of a continuous, open-air environment.
“The pergola was designed as an extension of daily life, blurring the boundary between architecture and open air,” the studio emphasized.
Materiality Anchored in Craft and Nature
Material choices play a central role in shaping Casa Areia’s identity. Gneiss stone flooring grounds the spaces with texture and durability, while charred wood countertops — produced using the traditional Shou Sugi Ban technique — introduce depth, contrast, and a sense of artisanal precision.
Furniture, finishes, and surface treatments were carefully curated to preserve a balance between rustic character and refined comfort. The two-tone natural stone swimming pool emerges as both a functional and sculptural element, reinforcing the project’s dialogue with landscape and material honesty.
A Contemporary Retreat Rooted in Vernacular Tradition
Casa Areia stands as a nuanced example of architectural renovation driven by sensitivity rather than spectacle. By preserving the essence of a caiçara house and enriching it with Mediterranean influences, the project achieves a timeless quality that transcends stylistic trends.
Through restraint, material integrity, and a deep respect for place, TWO Arquitetura delivers a residence that feels intimate, grounded, and enduring — a contemporary retreat shaped by memory, craft, and atmosphere.
Photo credit: Studio Rafe | Source: TWO Arquitetura
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: R. Gomes de Carvalho, 768 – Vila Olímpia, São Paulo – SP, 04547-003, Brazil
– Tel: +55 11 3848-9270
– Email: contato@twoarquitetura.com.br
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