Designed by Cornetta Arquitetura and located within the Atlantic Forest, Casa Guapuruvus is a vacation home that explores ecological practices in architecture, engineering, and landscaping.
The 1,600 square meter site retains more than 70 percent of its native vegetation, with construction concentrated within a previously degraded portion of the terrain. Conceived as a contemporary cabin, the project explores relationships between domestic occupation and preserved ecosystems, where architecture mediates between living spaces and the forest canopy.
Site preservation and microclimatic performance
The preserved forest acts as both a contextual and environmental driver of the design. Existing vegetation provides natural shading, evapotranspiration, and wind filtration, contributing to cooler indoor temperatures throughout the year and reducing reliance on mechanical air conditioning.
The house is elevated above the ground as an open pavilion immersed within the treetops, allowing natural water drainage, root development, and ecological continuity beneath the building footprint.
Spatial strategy and living organization
Access is defined by a staircase that culminates in an extended landing functioning as both a balcony and an observation point, reinforcing the experiential relationship between occupants and landscape.
The elevated pavilion is designed as an open veranda-like structure where living spaces extend toward the surrounding forest. The internal layout prioritizes informality and spatial continuity, with bedrooms opening directly into communal areas and built-in bunk beds integrated into the architectural framework.
A primary suite positions the landscape as the central spatial focus, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on outdoor connection and seasonal environmental variation.
Materiality and construction systems
Construction is organized into two structural phases. The lower level stabilizes the terrain and accommodates service and leisure functions, including retaining walls, storage areas, laundry facilities, a solarium, and a swimming pool. This base employs masonry, exposed concrete, and rough stone to provide structural stability and ground anchoring.
Above this foundation, the main residential volume adopts prefabricated and industrialized systems designed to reduce material waste and embodied carbon. The structural framework uses glued laminated timber beams and nailed laminated timber (NLT) slabs, while enclosure walls are constructed using light steel framing. These systems improve construction precision, reduce structural weight, and support recyclable material cycles while establishing a relationship with the surrounding forest.
Material selection prioritizes longevity, low maintenance, and responsible sourcing. Interior finishes include exposed timber slabs, polished concrete flooring, and reclaimed peroba rosa wood surfaces, contributing to extended material lifecycles.
The external envelope features carbonized pine cladding treated using the Japanese shou sugi ban technique, increasing resistance to moisture, insects, and fire without chemical coatings. Brazilian limestone clads the swimming pool, visually integrating leisure areas with the natural terrain while providing durable exterior performance.
Adaptability and future potential
Spatial flexibility is incorporated through light steel frame partition walls combined with drywall systems, allowing future reconfiguration of interior layouts without structural alteration. This strategy extends the functional lifespan of the residence while supporting circular construction principles. Passive environmental performance is reinforced through open-plan layouts that encourage cross-ventilation and daylight penetration, while the elevated structure improves airflow beneath the building.
The lighting strategy transforms the residence into an illuminated timber volume during nighttime hours. While the forest dominates the building during the day, controlled artificial lighting emphasizes the architectural form after dark while maintaining a balanced relationship with the surrounding ecosystem.
