“A home that expands its horizons. That refuses to be confined. One that is, both virtually and physically, open to the world, to nature, and to those who inhabit it.”
That is how São Paulo-based architect Fernanda Marques defines her project for Casa Cor 2010.
From a construction standpoint, Fernanda Marques’ project for Casa Cor 2010 is rooted in sustainability.
All cladding—both interior and exterior—was crafted from reclaimed wood, while the entire furnishings selection bears an eco-conscious certification. The lighting design relies exclusively on LED systems to reduce energy consumption. Emblematically, tree trunks sourced from Bahia serve as the very structural pillars of the house.
Conceptually, however, the project resists strict definitions.
“I set out to shape a space in transition: the contemporary home,” says the architect.
“I sense a growing dematerialization underway—walls dissolving, spaces blending into one another, reflective surfaces. Inside and, at the same time, outside. My project doesn’t claim to resolve these ideas, but rather to investigate them.”.
Let there be no doubt about Fernanda Marques’ ability to give form to her reflections. True to her design philosophy, her Casa Cor 2010 project materializes as a sprawling lounge-like space: a single 207-square-meter environment that seamlessly integrates living room, lounge, gourmet kitchen, bar, and video hall—each element thoughtfully designed to suit a fast-paced lifestyle.
A space shaped by an eclectic rhythm of use, not unlike Fernanda’s own: family gatherings, evenings with friends, moments of casual fun—but also quiet time, relaxation, reading, and contemplation. Life, in all its forms. Moment by moment.
“Making space work harder is one of today’s biggest design challenges,” Fernanda notes. This year, she deliberately chose to build less than in her previous two editions of the event.
“I was guided by two key principles. One is the matter of sustainability—building smaller naturally reduces material use and energy consumption,” she explains.
The second motivation, more personal in nature, stems from Fernanda Marques’ desire to give increasingly individualized attention to each element of her projects.
“I’m focused on bringing a more authorial touch to my interiors—almost like crafting fine jewelry,” she explains.
It’s no surprise, then, that she designed many of the pieces that compose the space herself: from outdoor furniture to steel shelving and felt rugs.
“Casa Cor has always been an opportunity for me to share two of my greatest passions with the public: contemporary art and design,” says the architect, who openly cites Scandinavian design and Eastern interiors as major sources of inspiration.
“This year, I chose a more ‘wintry’ approach to the décor—with leather and fur, and many metallic touches in silver, gold, and copper to ‘warm up’ the furnishings.”
No less striking—and in seamless continuity with the interior design—the elegant 235-square-meter terrace unfolds just ahead like an open-air living room. It features an infinity-edge pool framed by a built-in fireplace and a long, sculptural element that is sure to draw every visitor’s attention.
“It’s a kind of eco-roof,” reveals Fernanda, referring to the sinuous structure completely covered in greenery.
“It will flow down from the house’s rooftop, cross over the pool, morph into a countertop, and eventually become a bar.”
The expansive canopy, which symbolically embraces the architecture, is poised to be a defining feature of Fernanda’s bold presence at the 22nd edition of Casa Cor—a statement piece that blurs the boundaries between nature, design, and experience.
