Brazil-based firm Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura has designed the Leaf House in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
We see it as low-tech ecoefficiency, where it has the greatest impact, the concept of the architectural design. Our practice, luckily in agreement with our client, understand the idea of a tropical beach house as a mean to enhance the interaction between man and nature, trying whenever possible not to separate them completely.
Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
Leaf House, image courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
This project was inspired by Brazil’s Indian architecture, perfectly suited for the hot and humid climate where it stands, Angra dos Reis, one hour drive south of Rio de Janeiro. The roof acts as a big leaf that protects from the hot sun all the enclosed spaces of the house as the in-between open spaces, truly the most important ones.
Leaf House, image courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
These in-between open spaces represent the essence of the design. They are the social areas, where the the owner of the house and his guests spend most of their time. The very generous heights of these spaces, wich varies from 3 to 9 metres, allow the SE trade winds from the sea to pass perfectly longitudinally trough the building, providing natural ventilation and and passive cooling both to the enclosed and open spaces.
Leaf House, image courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
There are no corridors and inside and outside are almost fused. Many sliding doors, most glazed, open up the enclosed spaces and let the sea breeze in. The landscape is everywhere on the ground floor, and the curvy swimming pool snakes into the house.
Leaf House, image courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
When it passes below the formal dining room, it turns into a pond with aquatic plants and fishes, reaching the rear “veranda”. This veranda is a resting space with five Brazil’s indians’ style hammocks. Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura calls this space “ Brazilian lounge”.
Leaf House - Roof structure, drawing courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
The roof structure is made of laminated reforestation wood ( eucalyptus ), capable of crossing big spans ( 20 metres is tle biggest here) with delicacy and warm aesthetics. The roof is covered in small reflorestation wood tiles ( pinus taeda), that easily adapt to the complexes surfaces of it. It also collects rain water via the central steel column to be reused in gardening and flushing toilet.
Leaf House, image courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
All surfaces finishes, except for glass and pre-oxidized copper are natural: Grey tiles of stone from the site, bamboo meshes, local wood from remanagement forests, earthy flooring and wood reused from old electricity posts. The use of all these natural materials, the transparency of the glass, the neutrality of the oxidized copper relating to the prevailing green of the designed and natural landscape along with the organic composition of the house and rich diversity of textures and rythyms created a very desireable reality: The sensation of belonging to the site, in harmony with the exuberant brazilian nature.
Leaf House - Site plan, floor plan & sections, drawing courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
+ Project credits / data
Project: Leaf House
Location: Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Design date: 2006/2007
Completion date: 2008
Site area: 40.000,00 m²
Built area: 800,00 m²
Typology: House
Project:
Architect: Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura | http://www.mareines-patalano.com.br/
Team members: Ivo Mareines, Rafael Patalano, Paula Costa, Flávia Lima, Rafael Pretti
Construction: Laer Engenharia
Light design: Airton Pimenta
Landscape design: Marita Adania
Interior Design: Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
Consultants:
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing: Laer engenharia
Steel structure: Abilitá projetos
Laminated wood structure: Andreas Hösch
Sources:
Laminated wood: Esmara estruturas de madeira
Windows: Eurocentro
Copper: Didine
Furniture:
Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura
Llussá marcenaria
Carlos Mota
Tora Brasil
Pedro Useche
Magis
Photography: © leonardo@finotti.com
+ All images and drawings courtesy Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura | Photo © leonardo@finotti.com
