After nearly three decades of visiting Brazil's stunning coastline, Paulo and Teresa Endo have finally realized their dream of building a permanent home in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Paraty. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence, named "Passarinha" (Little Bird), sits on Costa Verde, strategically positioned halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where cobblestone streets meet emerald mountains and crystalline bays.
The home's most striking feature is its central tropical garden, which rises through an open roof section and floods the interior with natural light. "The garden was my daughter's idea," Paulo explains. "We gave up a lot of floor space, but it was completely worth it. It makes the house feel alive." This bold design choice transforms the residence into a living ecosystem where sunlight shifts across sand-colored walls throughout the day, giving each room its own unique rhythm.
Designed in collaboration with São Paulo-based Arquipélago Arquitetos, led by Luis Tavares and Marinho Velloso, the house presents a fascinating architectural contrast. From the street, large-format red bricks create a solid, almost industrial presence. However, stepping inside reveals a completely different story, with skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows creating an airy, light-filled environment that seamlessly connects interior and exterior spaces.
Paulo, a psychoanalyst, researcher, and associate professor at the University of São Paulo, has deep connections to Paraty's local communities. "We started visiting Paraty back in the 1980s," he recalls. "The caiçara families were still farming, fishing, and living much like their ancestors had. We became friends with some of them, and those connections remain strong to this day." His appreciation for the area extends beyond its natural beauty to encompass the rich cultural heritage of the caiçara, quilombola, and Indigenous communities.
The architectural design draws inspiration from several iconic museum residences that the Endos admire, including Pablo Neruda's La Chascona in Chile, Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul in Mexico, and São Paulo's Lasar Segall Museum. The architects also incorporated elements from renowned Brazilian designers like Vilanova Artigas, Lina Bo Bardi, and Tomie Ohtake, creating something entirely new while honoring these architectural precedents.
A dramatic yellow spiral staircase serves as the home's central circulation element, connecting the upper and lower levels while offering constantly changing views of the indoor garden and surrounding artwork. "Descending it feels like a mini tour," Paulo notes. "You catch glimpses of the indoor garden, the artworks, the ceramics, and the views outside. It connects the upstairs and downstairs, but it also connects us to the whole experience of the house."
Upper and lower decks extend the living areas beyond the interior walls, framing spectacular views of the surrounding Atlantic Forest. The design philosophy emphasizes connection and interaction rather than separation. "It's not a house where people disappear into rooms," Paulo explains. "The decks encourage interaction, but they also give everyone a place to pause, to reflect, or just watch the birds."
Every material and furnishing in the home carries intentional meaning and supports local artisans. The interior features Guarani baskets, Pataxó utensils, caiçara ceramics, and benches carved by quilombola craftsmen. Paintings by Paraty-based artists hang alongside papier-mâché portraits of the Endo children created by artist Lucio Cruz. "Every piece tells a story," Paulo emphasizes, reflecting the family's commitment to honoring and supporting the region's cultural communities.
The house responds dynamically to daily life and seasonal changes. Although the family included a dedicated music studio for their son, he often prefers to practice in the shared living spaces where sunlight, birdsong, and breezes create a natural accompaniment. "The house doesn't separate us," Paulo observes. "It pulls us together, through meals, conversations, or music." The home's connection to nature becomes particularly evident through the seasons: autumn brings soft pastel light, spring fills the garden with hummingbirds and new blooms, while summer rains drench the plants and fill the air with the scent of water lilies.
The name "Passarinha" emerged during a politically turbulent period in Brazil, inspired by poet Mario Quintana's verse "Eles passarão, eu passarinho" (They will pass, I will fly like a bird). This poetic reference symbolizes resilience and lightness, reflecting the family's philosophy of weathering challenges while maintaining connection to family, nature, and culture. "It reminds us that challenges are fleeting," Paulo explains, "and that life is best lived in connection with family, with nature, with culture."
Reflecting on their decision to build in Paraty, Paulo feels the residence has enriched their lives in unexpected ways. "São Paulo gave us so much," he says, "but Paraty added time, space, and the understanding of Brazil's depth and contradictions. Life feels richer here." The home stands as both a personal retreat and a testament to thoughtful architecture that honors local communities while creating spaces for contemporary family life.
