From 2011, mk27 projects started to sought radicalization in strategies to minimize environmental impacts and improve rational use of resources, both during project and post-occupation.

Catuçaba House is a paradigmatic example of this new phase of the office: isolated on a farm in the State of São Paulo and leaning over an “ocean of hills” typical of São Luís do Paraitinga region, the house is not connected to water and energy networks. Taking advantage of natural site conditions – with abundant wind, rain and sun -, the architecture proposed efficient and self-sufficient systems.

Photovoltaic panels, thermal panels and a wind generator, working together with batteries, guarantee power generation. Drinkable water comes from local springs and rainwater harvesting with cisterns complete the system for additional uses as gardening.
Pre-fab process of the structure – built using FSC cross laminated timber – made feasible the construction in such isolated environment because elements like beams and columns were only assembled in the site. The slope topography and the demand for rational construction systems lead to a solution which the house is detached from the ground.

Inner floor uses tiles manufactured locally with earth from the site. Similar solution was adopted for side walls, done in hammed earth. The house received the Platinum environmental certification from the Green Building Council Brazil, first time awarded in this country.
Gabriel Kogan

CATUÇABA

location > catuçaba . sp . brazil
project > november . 2011
completion > may . 2016
site area > 30.000 sqm
built area > 309 sqm
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architecture > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > lair reis
architecture team > flavia maritan . oswaldo pessano
communication team > carlos costa . laura guedes . mariana simas
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contractor > eight pharcon
landscape design > estelle dugachard
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photographer > fernando guerra

From 2011, mk27 projects started to sought radicalization in strategies to minimize environmental impacts and improve rational use of resources, both during project and post-occupation.

Catuçaba House is a paradigmatic example of this new phase of the office: isolated on a farm in the State of São Paulo and leaning over an “ocean of hills” typical of São Luís do Paraitinga region, the house is not connected to water and energy networks. Taking advantage of natural site conditions – with abundant wind, rain and sun -, the architecture proposed efficient and self-sufficient systems.

Photovoltaic panels, thermal panels and a wind generator, working together with batteries, guarantee power generation. Drinkable water comes from local springs and rainwater harvesting with cisterns complete the system for additional uses as gardening.
Pre-fab process of the structure – built using FSC cross laminated timber – made feasible the construction in such isolated environment because elements like beams and columns were only assembled in the site. The slope topography and the demand for rational construction systems lead to a solution which the house is detached from the ground.

Inner floor uses tiles manufactured locally with earth from the site. Similar solution was adopted for side walls, done in hammed earth. The house received the Platinum environmental certification from the Green Building Council Brazil, first time awarded in this country.
Gabriel Kogan