estudio flume constructs a beekeeper's workshop on concrete piers in northern brazil

estudio flume has recently completed the design of a beekeeper’s workshop in the brazilian amazonia for the associação dos apicultores de canaã dos carajás. the project, entitled ‘casa do mel’, forms part of a socioeconomic and environmental strategy aiming to develop a self-sustainable local business that can help in the recovery of the rainforest from deforestation and land exploitation. the new building consists of a workspace to process honey collected by a co-operative of beekeepers formed by 53 local rural producers.

all images courtesy of estudio flume

the site has a difference in height of seven meters, therefore the architect decided to suspend the concrete floor slab on concrete piers to avoid costly groundworks. the orientation of ‘casa do mel’ has been designed with consideration to the local climate, prioritizing the thermal comfort and natural lighting of the workspace. the most permanent spaces, such as the container and process rooms for honey, are located facing east to benefit from the early morning sunlight. the façade is built with concrete blocks backed with insect mesh to allow cross ventilation and to regulate the internal light levels. this helps to maintain a healthy environment in the production rooms.

the most permanent spaces, such as the container and process rooms for honey, are located facing east to get the early morning sunlight

the separation of the floor from the ground as well as the double-layered roof (slab and corrugated metal sheet) generates air pockets that help with the thermal comfort of the building. this strategy is strengthened by the shading provided by the over-hanging roof canopy. the project incorporates sustainable strategies such as the circle of banana trees (circulo de bananeiras), a method used to treat grey-water and prevent soil contamination; a bio-digester to treat organic waste and produce fertiliser and organic compost, and the harvesting of rainwater for non-drinkable water to use in toilets.

the project forms part of a socioeconomic and environmental strategy aiming to develop a self-sustainable local business

the project consists of a workspace to process honey collected by a co-operative of beekeepers

the concrete slab suspended on piers

the orientation of casa do mel is designed with consideration to the local climate, prioritizing the thermal comfort and natural lighting of the workspace

shading is provided by the roof canopy

the facade was built with concrete blocks backed with insect mesh to allow cross ventilation and to regulate the internal light levels

the double-layered roof generates air pockets that help with the thermal comfort of the building

concrete blocks help to maintain a healthy environment in the production rooms

the co-operative of beekeepers is formed by 53 local rural producers

axonometric view

project info: 

project name: ‘casa do mel’

project type: beekeeper’s workshop

project location: canaã dos carajás, pará, brazil

architect: estudio flume

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom