Quaint bamboo screens dictate the elevation of this private house by Vazio S/A in Brazil
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur

Quaint bamboo screens dictate the elevation of this private house by Vazio S/A in Brazil

8 Feb 2023  •  News  •  By Surabhi Patil

Nestled in the rural area of Serra da Moeda, a natural heritage of Minas Gerais, Marinho de Serra (MS) House, designed by Vazio S/A, overviews an orchard with banana and mango trees and bamboo grove belonging to a family of peasants, who have resided in the area since the 19th century.

photo_credit Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur

Commonly used in Brazil for railings, fences and ceilings, bamboo is available abundantly and is substantially economical and durable. Thereby, the project came intrinsically with bamboo as the key material. 

photo_credit Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
photo_credit Vazio S/A
Vazio S/A

 

The house features bamboo louvres that wrap the entire perimeter of the structure except for the south elevation, which has solid walls. The bamboo weave protects the interiors, serves as a shield against harsh weather conditions and gives a characteristic look.

photo_credit Vazio S/A
Vazio S/A

 

photo_credit Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur

 

Preservation of bamboo was carried out locally using a borax and boric acid bath, a common preservation technique producing a fungicide, insecticide and fire-resistant effect that is effective and less harmful than other wood preservatives.

photo_credit Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur

Bricks and precast elements are used to build the slab, which is then covered in thermoacoustic sandwich trapezoidal roof tiles. MDF is used to create the doors, while the preassembled windows comprise eucalyptus.

photo_credit Vazio S/A
Vazio S/A

 

photo_credit Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur
Studio Pixel / Daniel Mansur

Facing a scenic valley to the north, the balcony has louvres that open into the landscape while defending it against the unabating afternoon sun. Therefore, Marinho de Serra exemplifies bamboo as a functional and aesthetic façade element.