In Monte-Mor, Brazil, architecture and interiors firm FGMF Arquitetos designed Casa Jordão, a modern holiday home set within a stud farm with strict building guidelines. The home follows a simple idea, a familiar house shape with a clay roof, then expands it into two volumes separated by a garden. From the outside, it reads as a bold black structure, while inside, the spaces open up with light timber finishes and flexible social areas designed for gathering.
A Divider That Shapes Two Living Spaces
At the center of the home, a custom room divider defines how the main living areas function. Instead of closing spaces off, it creates two connected zones that feel distinct but still part of the same flow.
The divider is made from wood with steel supports and includes open shelving with a section for a television. On either side, walkways allow movement between the two living rooms, keeping everything visually and physically connected.
On the opposite side, the secondary living room mirrors this setup. It opens directly to the pool and includes couches, armchairs, and a fireplace, offering a more relaxed setting that still feels tied to the main space.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the home…
A Garden Path Leads The Way In
The approach to the house begins with a pathway lined with tropical plants, gradually leading to the entrance. A pivoting front door marks the transition inside, where glass walls immediately reveal views of a central garden.
This entry point also works as a dividing line within the layout, separating the social areas from the more private bedrooms and bathrooms, reinforcing the home’s two-part organization.
A Simple Form With Strong Contrast
From the outside, Casa Jordão stands out as a black-painted volume set against the natural surroundings. The dark exterior highlights the geometry of the structure while creating a strong contrast with the greenery of the stud farm.
This bold outer shell frames outdoor spaces like the patio and the L-shaped pool, which wraps around the social areas and doubles as a reflective surface.
The Contrast Of Light Timber And Dark Joinery
Inside, the material palette shifts completely. Walls and ceilings are lined in tauari wood, a pale Brazilian timber that brightens the interior. In contrast, the kitchen is designed as a dark, enclosed volume within the larger space.
Built entirely from darkened wood, the kitchen follows the same simple house-like form as the overall structure. It also includes a flexible feature, a section of cabinetry that can be lowered to conceal the kitchen when needed, allowing it to shift between open and closed use.
How The Home Is Organized
The layout is based on two main volumes placed side by side, with a garden in between acting as both an entrance and a shared outdoor space.
One volume contains the social areas and kitchen, positioned to connect with the landscape and pool. The other houses the bedrooms and a children’s play area, offering more privacy. This clear division keeps the home organized while maintaining easy access between spaces.
Casa Jordão begins with a simple idea but builds into something layered and unexpected. The exterior keeps things minimal, while the interior reveals contrast, flexibility, and a layout designed around interaction.