Tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac near São Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park, Casa MA, designed by RUA 141 arquitetura, proves that constraint can be a powerful design catalyst. With just 13 feet of frontage and a depth of just under 60 feet, the narrow lot might suggest compromise. Instead, the house unfolds as a layered, light-filled retreat shaped by movement, materials, and nature integration.

The home belongs to a young, professional couple whose daily life revolves around training, work, and hanging with friends. Both triathletes, they wanted a place that felt physically attuned to their lifestyle – open, flexible, and seamlessly connected to the outdoors – while still offering warmth and room to grow into family life. When an opportunity arose to purchase a small, attached house on a rare dead-end street, they traded the familiarity of renting nearby for the challenge of starting fresh.

The original structure fell short of their needs. Dark interiors, low ceilings, and heavy concrete stairs fractured what little space existed. Rather than retrofit limitations, architect Mona Singal of RUA 141 proposed a full rebuild, retaining only the shared brick walls on either side. Time was also a factor: construction began as the couple prepared to welcome their first child, adding urgency to every decision.

A steel structure became the backbone of the new house, chosen for its speed, precision, and reduced impact on the tight site. From this framework emerged a 1,453-square-foot residence organized across three levels and split into two volumes, bridged by metal walkways for connection.