Situated on the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil, between the river and the sea, the Modular Bahia project is a contemporary tropical retreat designed with sensitivity to its territory and climate. Created by São Paulo-based architectural studio UNA barbara e valentim (UNAbv), the project combines industrialised solutions with bioclimatic strategies, responding both to local environmental conditions and to a desire for a closer integration with the landscape.
Site and spatial organization
Modular Bahia consists of two houses and a shared pavilion. This arrangement supports the coexistence of different groups, allowing for varied rhythms and levels of privacy. Along a central circulation axis, spaces flow into one another, alternating between moments of retreat and gathering, with views that open to the sea, the river, and the surrounding forest.
The interiors feature wood-clad walls and ceilings. Large glass panels, shaded and protected by wide eaves, visually integrate the house with the surrounding landscape. Broad wooden decks extend the indoor flooring onto verandas, terraces, and pathways that connect the site's various volumes.
Rooted in the local context
Local labour played a key role in assembling the industrialised systems, promoting knowledge transfer and highlighting regional expertise. With its focus on sustainability and innovative construction methods, Modular Bahia reflects a growing movement in architecture that remains rooted in the local context.
“The Modular was conceived from research aimed at ensuring a construction process that flows smoothly from design to execution without compromising architectural quality. We see this system as a natural evolution of engineered wood use, aligned with best practices being tested worldwide,” says Fernanda Barbara, Partner at UNA barbara e valentim.
A modular timber system
At the core of the project is the Modular BV system, developed by UNAbv in partnership with Crosslam Brasil and Abaeté. The system is based on an independent wooden structure, comprising cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glulam beams and pillars, prefabricated for rapid assembly and precision. Assembled on site through dry construction, the system reduces waste, accelerates the building process, and lessens environmental impact when compared to conventional concrete or steel structures.
Unlike standardized solutions, the Modular BV system allows for a variety of configurations with different types of modules, adapting to both the local context and the specific needs of each client. Modular BV is the result of extensive research by UNAbv and is now a replicable solution available throughout Brazil.
All facades and external flooring are finished in renewable timber products: eucalyptus panels from Crosslam Brasil and reforested pine boards for cladding and decking from Immergrun. This material palette emphasizes renewable resources from managed forests, reducing embodied emissions while supporting local production.
Flexibility in design
Conceived for flexibility, the Modular BV system allows modules to be reconfigured for alternative uses, demonstrated in applications beyond housing, such as aerodrome lounges. Structures can be entirely disassembled, with components reused or recycled in accordance with circular economy principles. Local craftsmen contributed to furniture and interior fittings, with certain pieces repurposed from sheds on the construction site, further extending material lifecycles.
Carbon-conscious construction
The use of industrialized wood components from sustainably managed eucalyptus plantations significantly lowered the project's embodied carbon. Timber acts as a carbon sink, while prefabrication reduces on-site waste and transport emissions. The dry assembly method allows full disassembly, enabling the reuse of components and extending their service life.
Bioclimatic strategies are integral to the design. Broad roof eaves shield the facades from direct sunlight while allowing in natural daylight. Cross-ventilation is achieved through opposite openings, and a sloped roof enables hot air to escape, ensuring thermal comfort without mechanical cooling. Rainwater is collected and reused to reduce demand, while the modular structure anticipates future integration of passive energy systems.
Exposed timber finishes are designed for durability and straightforward maintenance, reducing life-cycle service emissions. Modular components can be replaced individually without invasive work, minimizing material loss over time.
