A fusion of nature and urban living

"Cap. 1 Três Figueiras", designed by architecture firm OSPA Arquitetura e Urbanismo, is a collective housing project in a quiet residential neighborhood of Porto Alegre, Brazil. It introduces the concept of “suspended living” as a new approach to urban housing.

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

The site, situated on a gentle slope, preserves one of the fig trees that gave the Três Figueiras district its name. Each unit is oriented toward the front, ensuring sunlight from both east and west, while also maintaining a visual connection with the preserved tree. The project is organized into four blocks, based on four original plots. Each block contains four staggered apartments. This arrangement, beyond its aesthetic role, reduces the building's volume and visual impact on the street by recessing each floor in line with the natural topography. Each unit features a terrace and private pool, strengthening the connection between architecture, city, and nature.

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Terraces are central to the project. According to local regulations, these areas are not counted as part of the total built area, thereby expanding the usable private space for residents. Every apartment is framed by a U-shaped concrete tray and a pool lined with Hijau stone, ensuring privacy and creating a floating impression. Interior layouts prioritize views and access to the terrace, softening the boundary between indoors and outdoors.

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Emphasizing pedestrian-friendly design and visual permeability, the shared amenities are located at the ground floor façade. Instead of a typical party room, the lounge extends from the entrance hall and can be closed off for private use via retractable acoustic partitions. Other facilities include a gym, spa, dry and wet saunas, a massage room, and an art gallery featuring internationally curated works. Landscaping is thoroughly integrated. The over 50-meter street frontage is used for a stepped garden that links the public sidewalk to the private spaces. Every terrace includes flower boxes, and private tree planting is encouraged. A vertical garden at the rear boundary provides a green backdrop visible from all suites, while second-floor units include personalized backyard gardens.

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

Photo credit: Gabriel Konrath

"Cap. 1 Três Figueiras" is a housing project that amplifies the strengths of its surrounding neighborhood while proposing a lifestyle that blends urban vibrancy with natural serenity.

About OSPA Arquitetura e Urbanismo

OSPA is a multidisciplinary architecture studio shaping experiences through projects ranging from object scale to urban design, treating architecture as a tool for transforming urban life. With a deep understanding of real estate and financial dynamics, the studio develops sustainable, market-ready products that maintain a close connection to the city. By integrating technology, design, and urban economics, OSPA delivers precise, high-performance architecture. More than creating spaces, the studio strives to leave a lasting legacy through projects that enhance quality of life and support the sustainable evolution of urban environments.