House EJ by Leo Romano

In EJ House, the architecture does not rise in opposition to the land—it emerges from it, gently shaped by its contours and the lives it shelters. A subtle projection of the ground floor molds the façade with quiet confidence, as if the earth itself embraces the building’s corner. Here, architectural panels act like curtains, gracefully mediating between public and private life. They breathe with the house—opening, closing, retreating, and revealing—in tune with the rhythm of daily life.

The Ramp as Journey

The ramp, more than a means of access, becomes an architectural prelude—a transitional moment from the exterior world to the interior sanctuary. Designed to maximize the lot’s footprint while preserving generous garden space, the layout is anchored by an intentional void: a courtyard revealed through the subtraction of mass, unveiling a contemplative pergola space.

This void, at the confluence of private and social zones, was born from a specific client request—a place to pause beneath the sky, a serene threshold between togetherness and solitude.

Light, Shadow, and Rhythm

Wooden slats in the central courtyard echo the rhythm of the façade, composing a kinetic tapestry of light and shadow that shifts with the sun. These vertical elements act as a permeable skin, not only filtering daylight but composing atmosphere—a space alive with movement and silence.

Within, the foyer unfolds into the living, dining, and gourmet spaces, organized not by walls, but by layered transparencies. A muxarabi crafted from natural wood veils the TV lounge—revealed only as one passes through, like a secret held between spaces.

A Kitchen of Connection

At the center, the kitchen forms both a functional and emotional heart. Around the island, mornings begin with coffee and unhurried conversation. Glass panels serve as ephemeral boundaries, allowing the act of cooking and sharing to dissolve into one experience. The materiality—wood, stone, light—forms a sensory continuity throughout the interiors.

Sanctuary in the Private Wing

The private quarters are set gently back within the lot, hosting a study, two suites, and the master suite. Here, wood becomes a constant companion, present in slatted partitions, cabinetry, and bespoke furnishings that infuse the home with warmth and tactility.

The master suite is a sanctuary. Beyond the walk-in closet lies a wooden oratory—an intimate space of silence and devotion. This niche, a gift from the architect-turned-friend, speaks to a deep collaboration between client and designer, and the personal narratives layered into the home’s fabric.

A final moment of surprise: the bathroom opens to a private garden, ensuring natural light and ventilation—an everyday luxury embedded in spatial grace.

Vertical Quietude

A refined staircase, clad in travertine marble and encased in glass, connects the private wing to the basement. As light filters down, the fixed freijó wood louvers protect the suites’ privacy while enriching the living spaces with texture and pattern.

Utility with Intention

Below, the basement expands the home’s functionality: a spacious garage with exposed concrete walls and slab, a laundry room, technical areas, service quarters, storage, and a playroom. These spaces retain the home’s material honesty while offering durability and adaptability.

An Architecture of Pause

EJ House transcends function. It is a house that invites stillness—where architecture becomes a vessel for life’s quieter moments. Every line and void, every filtered light beam and wooden surface, tells a story of intimacy, ritual, and contemplation. More than shelter, it is a poetic response to life itself, harmonizing structure with soul.

Photography: Joana França