Concept
The 2,000-square-meter site for Casa Rouxinol, located in the Paraíba Valley (São Paulo), presented significant challenges for the architectural design strategy. While the site offered a magnificent view of the Jaguari River dam, it also required addressing a 50-meter elevation change and the presence of over 300 cataloged trees. Minimizing environmental impact was a non-negotiable requirement—a combination of factors that shaped design solutions ranging from the initial concept to material specifications.
In response to the challenging topography, the house is arranged across overlapping levels, allowing every room to enjoy the landscape—effectively acting as a viewing platform. The program is distributed across three sectors interconnected by a vertical circulation element with a metal structure; the main entrance is located on the upper level. The intermediate floor houses the bedroom suites and a private living room, while the social areas and swimming pool are situated on the lower level. The resulting volume—resembling a "magic cube" amidst the treetops—is supported by metal pilotis. These columns allow natural vegetation to thrive beneath the building's footprint and touch the ground subtly where they meet the foundation caissons.
Techno-constructive Innovation and Modularity
The house’s design is based on repeating 3.80-meter spans between columns, following a 9x9 modular grid applied to both the floor plan and the façade. This results in a cubic form structured by engineered wood elements.
By utilizing engineered wood components—specifically Glulam (glued laminated timber) beams and columns—the project achieves an efficient, rationalized modular system. This approach ensures lower environmental impact during construction and reduces costs associated with the production and transport of components from the factory to the building site. At the same time, it represents a constructive alternative with excellent structural performance—being both lightweight and mechanically strong—where the elements can remain exposed to reveal the composition's "constructive intelligence," while also providing superior thermal and acoustic insulation.
Environmental Comfort and Sustainability:
Natural light and cross-ventilation are ensured through large openings framed by sliding aluminum fixtures and laminated glass featuring a clear UV-blocking film. The prism's faces are clad in ventilated facades made of wooden planks fixed to aluminum profiles over a water-repellent membrane (Tyvek); these contribute to the building's thermal and acoustic insulation while protecting the interiors from external moisture. On the upper floor, *brise-soleil* elements integrated into the CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) facades allow for room ventilation, provide shading, and shield the privacy of service areas from the surrounding neighborhood.
Regarding electrical and plumbing systems, rooftop solar panels are included for water heating and photovoltaic energy generation; this reduces electricity costs associated with artificial lighting and air conditioning, making the building's operation more economical. Sewage piping is routed to underground biodigesters.
