An extraordinary home near the old Brazilian town of Paraty on the Costa Verde, roughly halfway between Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo, establishes a new benchmark for self-sufficient, ecological living.

The 52-acre Casa Santa Rita property, which is marketed for $15 million, is nestled in the lush Brazilian jungle and can only be reached by helicopter or boat. Marcio Kogan, a prominent Brazilian architect, created it with the goal of creating a totally self-sufficient residence with modern architecture that draws on its natural surroundings. The property is carved into the hillside and demonstrates how contemporary architecture and nature can coexist together. 

Kogan is known for his clean lines and generous use of concrete, as well as for integrating the outdoors through large windows and skylights. Casa Santa Rita is a prime example of his singular style, consisting of two rectangular concrete structures tiered across several levels with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that seem to erase the boundaries between inside and out. Its minimalist design is softened by a neutral color palette and natural textures, while locally sourced stone and wood provide organic accents that anchor the home in its rare setting.

The main level houses a vast, open-plan living room, which is lined with gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to a spacious terrace. This floor also houses the sleek kitchen, outfitted with high-end appliances, along with access to one of several shady internal courtyards, this one with a dining table amid fragrant jaboticaba trees.

A floating staircase leads to the upper level, where there are five bedrooms purposefully placed to shelter each room from the hоt Brazilian sun. The rooms are also designed with scented eucalyptus panels. Throughout the home, there are seven bathrooms and one power room. 

In addition to world-class architecture, the home has a ton of amenities. Below the house are a spacious teak deck and a 1,000-square-foot infinity-edge pool and spa overlooking 280 feet of private beachfront. There’s also a state-of-the-art oceanfront fitness center and a game room. For culinary pursuits, there’s a summer kitchen, as well as an ice cream maker, a pizza oven, and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar.

There’s a private dock for getting in and out by boat and a 4,800-square-foot heliport for easy jaunts to Rio and São Paulo. By night, strategically placed indoor and outdoor lighting make the home glow among the verdant jungle landscape. 

But that’s not all, folks—not by far! There’s a room dedicated to diving and fishing gear, a full spa with a sauna, and a forest-to-sea water slide. The grounds include a green “room” that was originally planned as a soccer field, orchid and bromeliad gardens, and a garden dedicated to the growth of medicinal plants and edible herbs. And finally, there’s an aviary for large birds that includes a kitchen and infirmary.