An Equestrian Oasis in Braganca Paulista, Brazil.

Welcome to Haras DOM, an exceptional equine facility in Braganca Paulista, Brazil.

Elegance exudes from this equestrian property completed in 2023 by Per Cavalli Arquitetura. The São Paulo Brazil architect firm handled the scope of this sizable project which included the main barn, riding arena, covered round pen, vet area, two homes for grooms, feed and hay storage areas, a carriage garage, truck garage, manure disposal area, two maternity stalls with individual paddocks and pastures.

Credits:

Main architect – Giulia Bitar Malfatti

Co creative architect – Maria Perez Coelho Bento

Track Engineer – Nicole Batista from Canter Engenharia

General Engineer – Rafael from DA Engenharia e Construções

Carpentry and wooden structures – Miguel from Carpinteria Guimarães

Frames, stall doors and Windows – Samuel from Mader Silva

Photography by Cacá Bratke

Haras DOM was designed for a family that enjoys jumping and carriage driving. Every aspect of the equestrian lifestyle was considered, from raising foals to training for high level competitions. The property is an oasis for horses and humans to enjoy together which is divided for flow and ease of use.

The slightly hilly landscape dictated the locations of the buildings and their positions, which in turn determined the flow of animals, cars and trucks. The employee homes were strategically positioned at the highest level and close to the main entrance, allowing the residents to have visibility of the property and access control to visitors.

The barn and its nearby structures including the round pen, manure pit, hay deposits and veterinary room are placed a midlevel that overlooks the property, offering views and privacy on the property.

The central and lowest point of the land houses the large high-performance track, machinery garage and two maternity stalls with individual paddocks. The entire property is connected by the numerous release paddocks, spread throughout the area, but also by a lane specifically designed to practice carriage driving.

The main barn has a center aisle with 30 stalls, three pony stalls, two mini stalls, a tack room, four wash stalls, four outdoor drying stalls, an office and kitchen/lounge. The barn is subdivided into three secondary passages, with the “ends” dedicated to the stalls and the center designed for daily care, keeping the tack room, showers, changing rooms and lounge there.

Natural Light & Ventilation

Inside the barn, the lighting was designed separately for two moments – during the day the, light source is almost exclusively natural. To achieve this, huge atrium cuts, longitudinally, across the volume of the roof open up to the sky. This design also helps with ventilation, since the difference in height in relation to the main roof forms an opening that allows the chimney effect.

During the night, the light sources are located in the center of the aisle, with softer sconces positioned lower, on each of the pillars.

The materials and finishes used include Moledo stones laid at half height and gray shingle tiles, for example, were used in all buildings in the complex (including the kennel, next to the pony stalls), which accentuated the much-desired unity in a work with diverse elements.

This equestrian project was designed with horses and socializing in mind. They are separated by railings starting at mid-height, which allows visual contact between the horses (while limiting physical contact) and optimizes natural ventilation and lighting. Each animal has, in addition to a feed trough and automatic drinking fountain with independent hydraulic points, with a fan, to provide relief on the hottest days.

Another element that benefits the well-being of the animals is all stalls, have dutch doors facing outside the barn, enabling an even greater interaction with the space that surrounds them and, in this way, reducing their stress levels. These doors are also advantageous in the event of an emergency need to remove animals without having to enter the main volume.

Tack Room

The tack room has ample space for tack and lots of hidden storage.

Lounge

The barn’s lounge is a beautiful place to relax and catch up with multiple seating areas.

The design of the doors outside the lounge allow them to open fully to provide and indoor/outdoor experience.

Vet Area

Here, the vet area has space for procedures, containment for a horse, pharmacy storage and supplies. The doors open fully to reduce stress, allow sunlight and air to enter the space.