Casa Capim Cidró

A Slow-Living, Wabi-Sabi-Inspired Oasis in Brazil

Spacious and stacked, this nearly 400-square-meter home by Angela Castilho Architects reflects Wabi-sabi styling, the “wabi” found in its abundance of natural materials sourced directly from the earth, and the “sabi” found in its simple beauty such as its subtle, neutral décor palette. Add to the intentionally designed simplicity the home’s automated modern technologies, and you’ve got a pared down contemporary gem, created organically for maximum relaxation in Brazil’s savannah country near the celebrated Chapado dos Veadeiros National Park.

The surrounding mountains, sunny horizons and neighborhood vistas determined the placement of the home’s openings, with large windows and structural openings framing the landscape, some gathering areas shaded by bamboo roofs, and others open to capture the changing light and seasonally evolving views since a major tenet of Wabi Sabi is impermanence.

Built across two floors, the home’s social areas are on the ground floor, opening to communal outdoor spaces including the integrated, pool-like hot tub, a full outdoor kitchen, and fire pit.

Layout

Ground floor: Queen bedroom and bathroom, with workstation, living room, dining room, kitchen with outdoor access, laundry

Upstairs: Primary bedroom and bathroom with volcanic stone tub, balcony

Outdoors: Full kitchen (sink, prep, grill, wine fridge), outdoor dining, pillow-topped masonry sofa, bamboo shade structures, built-in stone hot tub/spa

Additional features

Daily housekeeping, a concierge, and a homemade daily breakfast chosen from a menu sent pre-arrival are included. There are bikes and sun loungers for guest use, and free on-site parking.

Around

Located in the Estância Paraíso neighborhood of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Brazil, the house has both urban and surrounding mountain views, and is a quick five minutes from the main avenue and about 30 kilometers from the entrance to the region’s famed Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.

Alto Paraíso offers the conveniences of city living—bars, restaurants, shops, clubs, bakeries and boutiques—and easy access to the rich natural world of the Chapada dos Veadeiros region, also referred to as the central Brazilian Highlands. The town has a strong culture of mysticism and healing given its location on one of the world’s oldest quartz formations, and there are a multitude of activities, spiritual guides and therapeutic/wellness offerings related to alternative health and mysticism available throughout the city. That said, the major draw to the region is the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park and the greater area's many remarkable waterfalls. The town of Alto Paraiso’s falls include Almécegas I and II, São Beno, Catarata dos Couros, Cachoeira dos Cristais, and Macaquinhos, each offering varying levels of hike-in access.

More than 300 waterfalls have been cataloged in the region, some soaring over 100 meters high, others with endless cascades that stairstep down lush cliffs. The National Park covers a vast 240 hectares cut through with hiking trails and brilliantly colored cascades. The 12-kilometer Canyons Trail leads to two falls, while the Saltos Trail extends about 10 kilometers and passes the 120-meter Salto lookout and the 80-meter Salto waterfall that ends in the Rapids of Rio Preto. The Segredo Waterfall trail is considered among the area’s most beautiful, with a forest bordering the river and several stone and bridge water crossings. Venturing further into the park, the Santa Barbara Waterfall boasts deep blue water, and the Cachoeiras do Prata reveals emerald colored pools created by the Prata River as it tumbles for some 14 kilometers. The park also features thermal waters for soaking and has some of the world’s darkest night skies for dedicated star gazers and astronomists.

Location

Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Brazil. Nearest airport: Brasilia (125 miles)

Best time to visit

May to September, dry season