Serra House In the interior of São Paulo, a spacious garden spans over 2,000 square meters. It is a beautiful complement to a residence crafted by Marcelo Couto Arquitetura. This green haven is a result of the collaboration between Couto and agronomist/landscape designer Rodrigo Oliveira. The garden seamlessly integrates a reflecting pool, swimming pool, and spa, creating a natural blend.
©Maíra Acayaba
The abundant native vegetation softens the architectural lines, imparting a sense of warmth and connection. The garden has been carefully planned for privacy and acts as a strategic link between social and intimate areas. Remarkably, the vegetation thrives with minimal upkeep despite being only three years old. This landscaping not only breaks the architectural rigidity but also humanizes the space, inviting nature into the heart of the Serra House.
©Maíra Acayaba
Serra House’s Design Concept
The landscape design was created in a partnership between Couto, agronomist, and landscape designer Rodrigo Oliveira. It features a water mirror, swimming pool, and spa, all organically incorporated. The lush vegetation consists of native species and softens the lines of the architecture, resulting in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels connected to nature.
©Maíra Acayaba
The garden was meticulously planned to ensure privacy and establish a link between the social and intimate areas. Despite being only three years old, the plants flourish with minimal upkeep. This landscape design not only softens the rigidity of the architecture but also adds a human touch to the space by integrating nature into the Serra House.
©Maíra Acayaba
Project Info:
Architects: Marcelo Couto Arquitetura, Rodrigo Oliveira Paisagismo
Area: 2698 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Maíra Acayaba
Architecture: Marcelo Couto Arquitetura
Landscape: Rodrigo Oliveira Paisagismo
City: São Paulo
Country: Brazil
Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial