Project Description
Our clients purchased this 480m² plot of land on a road sandwiched between the lake and the sea with the intention to build a single storey villa for their retirement.
With 12 metres of street frontage and 40 metres in length, we took advantage of the site’s narrow characteristics to create interesting spaces and courtyards for relaxation in the middle of the floor plate while making sure all spaces had access to high levels of natural light.
The project includes three ample bedrooms, two of which en suite, a living/dining space, a kitchen and a utility room towards the back of the property; and an enclosed double garage, an office and a WC at the front. The amenity space at the back of the property includes a pool with water features, garden space and a decking area with a built in barbecue grill perfect for parties and family gatherings.
As the local climate will expose the house to high temperatures throughout the year we were careful to strategically position appropriately sized windows to favor natural cross ventilation and avoid direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon. With the added benefit of a large area of green roofs, external solar shading and timber cladding on the facade as well as the use of high thermal mass ecological soil-cement bricks on the walls, the temperatures within the house are predicted to be pleasant throughout the year with very little need for use of air conditioning and no heating required.
A total area of 42m² of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels are designed to be installed on the roof and supply all of the electricity required by the home. A rainwater and greywater harvesting system is proposed to supply most of the water requirements.
We are proud to have designed for our clients a beautiful and comfortable home which will be cheap to run and very kind to the environment.
Data Sheet
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Size: 190m² villa + 290m² landscaping
Status: Planning
Cost: Undisclosed