these houses in brazil are painted with the hues of the sea, by vilela florez

the project of two houses, located in the municipality of tibau do sul, brazil, is inserted in an irregular terrain on a slope that overlooks the amazing views of the guaraíras lagoon and the spectacular dunes of malemba beach. designed by architectural practice vilela florez, the two sculpted independent volumes are connected by a large concrete pergola decorated with stones and oriented to the spectacular views towards the sunset.

all images by maira acayaba

divided into two floors, vilela florez’s program is staggered by taking advantage of the powerful descent of the land towards the sea, with the upper levels of the bedrooms providing shade to the lower floor, where common living areas and terraces are located. the materiality and the constructive solutions are inspired by the local tradition and the existing nature.

the façade of the bedrooms opens and closes with layers of wooden frames with pivoting shutters and panels of wooden slats that allow to ventilate and protect the glazed surface of the strong horizontal sun of the northwest orientation. the façade is completed by a bamboo stick panel which conciliates both geometries — sliding elements and dropped ceiling — by creating a double curvature surface inspired by the waves of the sea.

the partition and basement walls are made of local stone, while the garage doors reiterate the use of bamboo as lightweight material and its low environmental impact. over the concrete beams of the pergola are placed volcanic stones, small and poetic elements carved during millions of years by the erosion of waves and winds that provide shade and privacy.

the roof was designed as a fifth façade, with a lightweight solution composed of a double layer: the first of thermoacoustic panels, which collects rainwater, and a second ventilated layer of wood shingles. the colors are used in a conceptual and sociological way, referring by the vivid palette of the façades of the local houses and their brazilian expression of joy and acceptance. the hues chosen are mainly bluish tonalities that, due to the condition of being between two bodies of water, seeks to reproduce the variety of tones coming from the sea and the lagoon.

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: maria erman | designboom