Lego-Inspired Home in São Paulo

In the densely populated center of São Paulo, Brazil, a residential project known as Casa Lego serves as an architectural exploration of the balance between urban density and natural openness. Designed by architect Fernanda Marques of Fernanda Marques Arquitetura, the residence utilizes a conceptual framework inspired by the modular nature of children’s building blocks to create a sanctuary that isolates its inhabitants from city noise while maintaining a constant connection to light and greenery.

The design is centered on a dialogue between solids and voids, utilizing interlocking volumes to define the relationship between light and shadow. This architectural approach resulted in a structure characterized by distinct blocks, some of which are elevated or cantilevered to create a dynamic equilibrium within the space.

The conceptual inspiration for the home emerged organically during the design process. According to Marques, the organization of the house into these distinct, balanced blocks mirrored the experience of building with Lego bricks during childhood.

I realised that the house was naturally organising itself into distinct blocks – some elevated, others cantilevered and creating a dynamic balance. It immediately reminded me of the Lego structures we built as children, stacking pieces and discovering equilibrium.

Fernanda Marques

Client Requirements and Urban Integration

The project was commissioned by a couple of lawyers and their two teenage daughters. The clients sought a residence located within the urban center of São Paulo that did not possess a typical city aesthetic. Their primary requirements included expansive, well-lit spaces and a permanent integration with nature.

The resulting home spans 1,397 square meters and is situated on an irregular plot of land. To address the challenges of the site, the architecture employs sectorized blocks that complement one another, effectively removing the traditional boundaries between different zones of the house.

Marques noted that the design aimed to support the varied needs of the family members, ensuring that the home could function as a space for both social interaction and private reflection.

What guided me was the owners’ wish for a home that could accommodate different rhythms simultaneously, so spaces allow social interaction, but also quiet, and moments for work

Fernanda Marques

Spatial Layout and Structural Features

Casa Lego is distributed across three floors. The residential quarters consist of four self-contained bedroom suites, each equipped with its own private bathroom and dressing room.

The home integrates water elements both internally and externally, featuring two separate swimming pools—one located indoors and one outdoors. The outdoor pool is designed to be visible from most areas of the residence, reinforcing the visual connection between the interior living spaces and the exterior environment.

To maximize the available space on the terrace, the architectural team implemented a specific structural solution in the barbecue area, utilizing the house’s perimeter wall as a pillar. This technique allowed for a terrace that is free of obstructive columns, enhancing the fluidity of the outdoor social space.

Environmental Design and Landscaping

A central objective of the project was to dissolve the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors. This was achieved through an immersive landscaping strategy that incorporates tropical species throughout the property.

There was a clear intention to create an environment where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors would dissolve

Fernanda Marques

Rather than confining greenery to specific flowerbeds or isolated points, the gardens extend across the entire ground floor. In some instances, the vegetation even fills internal walls, bringing nature directly into the living quarters.

This integration of greenery serves a functional purpose beyond aesthetics. The placement of these garden zones throughout the perimeter of the residence was designed to improve thermal comfort within the interior spaces, mitigating the heat often associated with dense urban environments.

The overall design seeks to fulfill a specific brief: creating a home that can effectively close itself off from the noise of the city while remaining in constant communication with nature and natural light.

The brief was to create a home that could close itself from the city noise, but remain in communication with light and nature

Fernanda Marques