perforated brick facade punctuates fernanda padula’s concrete house in brazil

Fernanda padula’s casa royal tucks into a sloped site

Casa Royal by Fernanda Padula emerges as an expression of harmony between architecture and terrain. Located on a sloped plot in Brazil, the single-storey residence is carefully embedded into the site, embracing the contours of the landscape while reflecting a visual sensibility that remains sensitive to light and air. With a bold form, the project stands out for the use of exposed materials, which reinforces the robustness and functionality of the structure and also provides a raw, genuine aesthetic that conveys the strength of the material in its purest form.

Its walls rise in response to the topography, while revealing the construction process itself — a gesture aligned with the brutalist idea of celebrating materials in their most honest form. Here, raw concrete intertwines with hollow bricks which are strategically positioned on the facades of the bedrooms, function as sunshades, controlling the incidence of direct light and interpreting one of the most relevant architectural objects of South America: the cobogó.

all images by Caroline Mossin

gridded pattern of hollow bricks recalls brazilian vernacular

Architect Fernanda Padula’s use of cobogó adds a softness and permeability to the design, creating a connection between the internal and external spaces, allowing natural light to enter, and promoting effective cross-ventilation. In addition to fulfilling practical functions, the cobogó has a strong aesthetic character, creating a play of shadows that changes throughout the day and intensifies the sense of dynamism within Casa Royal. At night, the box transforms into a large lantern, illuminating the plot through the intricate panels of the facade.

The decision to build a single-story house reinforces the project’s deep connection to the terrain, allowing for a seamless transition between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape. Prioritizing a lifestyle in dialogue with nature, the architecture adapts to this context. Organized into three distinct volumes — service, social, and private — the design follows a logic of lightness and clarity, with pure geometries ensuring coherence and balance throughout. And though modest in appearance, the house embodies a quiet complexity shaped by design challenges and thoughtful execution. 

Casa Royal emerges as an expression of harmony between architecture and terrain

located on a sloped plot, the single-storey residence is carefully embedded into the site

located on a sloped plot, the single-storey residence is carefully embedded into the site

concrete and brick intertwine

the perforated brick skin casts shadows through the space

organized into three volumes — service, social, and private — the design follows a logic of lightness and clarity

a seamless transition between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape

Fernanda Padula makes use of exposed materials

a sense of openness and enclosure

project info:

name: Casa Royal
architect: Fernanda Padula | @fefepadula

location: Brazil

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom