Morro House is a three-storey, L-shaped luxury home in Nova Lima, Brazil, designed by Ana Paula Mello and Flavia Frauches and built on a former iron ore exploration area. Its materials were chosen to match the colour of the local soil.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | Morro House |
| Location | Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
| Designers | Ana Paula Mello and Flavia Frauches |
| Layout | Three floors, L-shaped plan |
| Site | Former iron ore exploration area |
What is the idea behind Morro House?
The designers wanted the house to disappear into the view rather than block it. The house is narrow towards the street, so passers-by keep looking over it at the valley.
” The concept of the architecture was to do a urban gentleness. The passers-by on the street still have a view of the valley they had before the house construction. “
Why does the setting matter?
Nova Lima is a mining town in Minas Gerais, a short drive from Belo Horizonte, and the plot sits on land once used for iron ore exploration. The materials follow the natural colour of the soil, so the house reads as part of the red-brown hillside. Inside, the plan stays open, with clear lines of sight from the living space out to the views.
Who are the designers?
Ana Paula Mello and Flavia Frauches worked together on the project. One of the studios linked to it, A Sala Arquitetura, is still online with a project portfolio.
What do you think of this house? Can you picture yourself living here? Tell us in the comments and share it with friends and family.
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FAQ
Who designed Morro House?
Ana Paula Mello and Flavia Frauches designed Morro House.
Where is Morro House?
In Nova Lima, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
What is Morro House built on?
It stands on a former iron ore exploration area, and its materials were chosen to match the natural colour of the soil.
How many floors does it have?
Three floors, on an L-shaped plan.
What was the design concept?
An ‘urban gentleness’: passers-by on the street keep the view of the valley they had before the house was built.
Last updated: October 2026.
