yinjispace

ARCHITECTURE
Luciano Dalla Marta
LANDSCAPE
Rodrigo Oliveira
PHOTOGRAPHY
Pedro Kok
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Set within a residential condominium in Itupeva, in the countryside of São Paulo, House LGM was designed as a vacation retreat for a couple and their two young children. Set on a 3,125 m² plot, the 1,400 m² residence—designed by architect Luciano Dalla Marta—is organized into two main volumes: a two-story block for private and service areas, and a single-story block for social spaces. Positioned parallel to the gentle slope of the land, these volumes frame a central courtyard that houses the main vertical circulation of the house. This open void also allows for natural light and ventilation, while offering continuous visual integration with the surrounding vegetation.

Despite its size, the architecture does not impose itself on the landscape but integrates with it subtly and respectfully. This same approach guided the landscape design by Rodrigo Oliveira, who sought to blur the boundaries between built and natural environments. Here, the garden becomes an extension of the house: it flows through spaces, defines paths, awakens the senses, and deepens the connection with nature.

In the entrance gallery, a planting bed beneath the upper-floor walkway leads toward the living rooms, naturally lit by a skylight above. The landscaping features tropical, semi-shade species with broad, voluminous leaves—such as Goeppertia orbifolia (cyclanthus), Chamaedorea elegans (chamaedorea), and Thaumatophyllum xanadu (philodendron xanadu)—establishing an ambiance that echoes the double-height ceiling and mediates the scale between architecture and nature.

Inside, large openings—alongside transparent (glass frames) or semi-transparent (wooden lattice panels) vertical elements—maintain visual permeability. The interplay of natural elements—light, breeze, and greenery—creates a sensory atmosphere where the garden takes center stage in daily life.

Accessibility was prioritized from the initial design stage. The social area is leveled from the garage to the living spaces, and the transition from the living room to the solarium occurs via three broad steps that follow the gentle slope of the terrain. A landscaped bed, planted with a Handroanthus albus (yellow ipe tree) and a groundcover of miniature Gardenia jasminoides, marks the passage between interior and exterior. At the far end, dense plantings soften the presence of the lateral ramp, delineating a path that leads to the lower lawn—an open space intended for children’s play and private events.

In this project, species selection emphasized diversity without establishing hierarchies. There is no single “main” plant; the highlight lies in the composition itself—in the contrast of textures, volumes, and heights. This plant palette rests on an architectural base of earthy tones—wood, exposed concrete, and metal finishes resembling corten steel—that serve as a neutral backdrop, allowing the garden to shine throughout the day. In the late afternoon, especially, the golden light casts shadows and reflections that continuously renew the experience of the space.

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