Architectural Cases

Aunt Val's House, conceived by architect Márcio Flávio Motta, represents a captivating residential endeavor nestled in the elevated landscapes of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Completed in 2025, this 400 square meter dwelling embodies a seamless dialogue with its unique environment. Perched at an altitude of 900 meters in a region characterized by a highland tropical climate, the architectural design meticulously considers the surrounding natural beauty and climatic conditions. The project stands as a testament to contemporary design principles harmoniously blended with site-specific responses, offering a sophisticated and comfortable living space.

The residence is strategically positioned within the "upper city" of Juiz de Fora, an area renowned for its scenic mountainous terrain and pleasant climate. This elevated location played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural brief and subsequent design solutions. Márcio Flávio Motta's vision for Aunt Val's House was to create a sanctuary that not only provides modern amenities but also allows residents to immerse themselves in the panoramic vistas and refreshing atmosphere of the highlands. The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces is a recurring theme, fostering a sense of openness and connection to nature.

The design of Aunt Val's House showcases a thoughtful response to its tropical highland climate. Architectural elements such as strategic fenestration, shading devices, and material selection likely contribute to passive cooling and natural ventilation, enhancing comfort without excessive reliance on artificial systems. The property's 400 square meters are efficiently utilized to create functional yet aesthetically pleasing zones, catering to both private retreats and communal gatherings. The project's completion in 2025 signifies a forward-looking approach to residential architecture, prioritizing sustainability and experiential quality.

The collaborative efforts of the project team, including Arqliq, Lucca Brigatto, and Bernardo Barcellos, alongside consultants Limonge de Almeida Consultoria e Projetos and Paulo Scafutto, were instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition. Their collective expertise ensured that every aspect of the design, from structural integrity to interior finishes, met the highest standards. Photographer André Miguel Coronha's captures beautifully illustrate the interplay of light, form, and landscape, highlighting the house's distinctive features and its relationship with the natural world.

This architectural gem in Juiz de Fora serves as a compelling example of how thoughtful design can elevate the residential experience, particularly in challenging yet rewarding natural settings. The careful consideration of the highland tropical climate, combined with a modernist aesthetic, results in a home that is both visually striking and inherently livable. It underscores a growing trend in architecture to create spaces that are deeply connected to their geographical and climatic contexts, offering inhabitants a unique sense of place.

The "Explicit Bodies, Hidden Bodies" exhibition, conceived by curators who define the body as existence's foundational frontier, challenges viewers to ponder the various dimensions of being. This provocative statement invites consideration of not only the physical form but also the subtler, less visible aspects of our existence, such as our psychological and spiritual states. The architectural design by Vão serves as a contemplative backdrop for this exploration, transforming a 550 m² space into a journey through visible and concealed realities, encouraging a profound reevaluation of what it means to exist.

Architectural Embodiment of Existential Themes

The "Explicit Bodies, Hidden Bodies" exhibition, designed by Vão, offers a unique architectural experience that translates profound existential questions into a tangible space. Occupying 550 square meters and completed in 2025, the project serves as a physical manifestation of the curatorial concept. Curated by Susanna Moreira, the exhibition positions the body as the initial boundary of human existence, urging a deeper exploration beyond its material form. This architectural intervention facilitates an immersive journey, encouraging visitors to contemplate the intricate relationship between explicit physical presence and hidden inner worlds. The design intelligently employs light, shadow, and spatial configurations to evoke feelings of revelation and concealment, mirroring the exhibition's central themes.

The spatial narrative crafted by Vão guides attendees through a series of environments that represent the different layers of human experience. From areas designed to highlight the overt aspects of physicality to more secluded zones that invite introspection into psychic and spiritual dimensions, every element contributes to the overarching dialogue about existence. The exhibition's architecture is not merely a container for art; it is an active participant in the interpretive process, shaping how visitors perceive and interact with the ideas presented. The interplay of materials, textures, and controlled vistas creates a dynamic atmosphere, fostering a nuanced understanding of the body as both a visible entity and a vessel for unseen complexities.

Exploring the Unseen: Psychic and Spiritual Dimensions

Beyond its tangible boundaries, the "Explicit Bodies, Hidden Bodies" exhibition, envisioned by its curators, extends an invitation to reflect upon the less overt, more enigmatic forms of human existence, particularly the psychic and spiritual realms. This contemplation moves beyond a mere physical understanding of the body, delving into the subjective and intangible aspects that define individual experience. The exhibition, designed by Vão, utilizes its architectural setting to create an environment conducive to this inward journey, challenging conventional perceptions and encouraging a holistic view of self. The curated space subtly encourages visitors to acknowledge the profound influence of these hidden dimensions on their lived realities, fostering a sense of introspection and self-discovery.

The thoughtful design of the 550 m² exhibition space, completed in 2025 by Vão, provides a framework for exploring these abstract concepts. By manipulating light, form, and enclosure, the architecture supports the thematic progression from the explicit to the hidden. Visitors are prompted to consider how psychic experiences and spiritual beliefs shape their understanding of existence, often in ways that are not immediately apparent. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that while our physical bodies are clearly defined, the scope of our being extends into vast, unseen territories, influencing our perceptions, emotions, and connections to the world around us. This nuanced exploration positions the body as a complex, multi-dimensional entity, where visible and invisible elements intertwine.