Designed by São Paulo–based Carolina Maluhy & Partners, the Timber Pavilion in Quinta da Baronesa, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo state, adapts to a steep site with minimal land movement. Its three-level layout follows the natural topography, reducing the need for retaining walls while maximizing views, ventilation, and daylight.
The client envisioned a vacation home that would engage with the landscape while making use of low-impact construction methods and contemporary building technologies available in Brazil.
The pavilion demonstrates how sustainability and innovation can align with functionality and aesthetics.
Prefabricated timber structure
The structure is primarily composed of prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT), complemented by masonry and a partial metal framework. The CLT panels, made using timber sourced from certified eucalyptus forests in southern Brazil, provide durability, flexibility, and a lower carbon footprint than conventional construction methods.
The project prioritizes the use of natural, locally sourced materials. Handcrafted stone facades add texture, while the flooring incorporates recycled marble, granite, and quartz fragments. Renewable systems—including solar panels and rainwater harvesting—contribute to the home’s environmental performance.
The use of prefabricated CLT panels also shortened construction time, reduced material waste, and allowed efficient on-site assembly, contributing to a clean and sustainable building process.
Efficiency and adaptability
Operational sustainability is supported by rainwater harvesting for irrigation and non-potable uses, solar panels for renewable energy, and a design that prioritizes natural ventilation and daylight through openings and skylights.
The flooring incorporates recycled stone waste, reducing landfill contributions while offering a durable finish. The combination of low-carbon materials and renewable systems supports long-term environmental benefits.
Although newly built, the project follows principles of adaptability and circular economy. The modular CLT system allows potential disassembly and reuse of components, supporting a circular material flow.
Open floor plans and a flexible layout allow for future program changes. With a focus on social sustainability, local labor was employed, strengthening community ties and reducing transport emissions.
