{"id":475982,"date":"2026-02-12T22:23:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T22:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/475982\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T22:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T22:23:11","slug":"waca-design-aims-for-low-carbon-at-brazilian-seaside-compound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/475982\/","title":{"rendered":"WaCa Design aims for low carbon at Brazilian seaside compound"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York studio WaCa Design and local studio Julia Kosciuk Arquiteta have used local materials and low-carbon methods\u00a0for an expansive\u00a0waterfront<\/a>\u00a0compound in Santa Catarina,\u00a0Brazil<\/a>, which bridges the beach and mountainous landscape.<\/p>\n

Designed by New York City-based WaCa Design<\/a> with Brazilian studio Julia Kosciuk<\/a> acting as the architect of record, the Rochas Floridas Beachside Compound was completed on a sprawling rocky site outside of Florianopolis, Brazil.<\/p>\n

\"CinderblockWaCa Design worked with Brazilian studio Julia Kosciuk to design a compound in Brazil<\/p>\n

Spanning 8,000 square feet (743 square metres), the private residence was informed by two primary elements: the landscape that sweeps down a steep, rocky slope to an expansive view of the ocean and the embodied carbon of each material. It features a series of boxy forms that radiate out like a shell, protruding outwards and upwards from the hill.<\/p>\n

“The formal design frames views, encompassing ocean vistas in one direction and boulders amidst tropical gardens in the other,” WaCA Design founder Walter Cain told Dezeen. “Roof angles are oriented to maximise solar collection, while deep overhangs provide shade and large windows capture ocean breezes.”<\/p>\n

\"BrazilianMultiple volumes are stacked and angled apart as the house swoops down the coastal hill<\/p>\n

The team pulled some materials from the landscape \u2013 including granite from the site. It also utilised slate blocks from a nearby quarry, Brazilian hardwood and salvaged items to reduce the carbon costs associated with manufacturing and shipping.<\/p>\n

“Every surface of the house, inside and out, expresses these materials,” the team said.<\/p>\n

\"WaCaSeveral different vistas look out over the ocean<\/p>\n

The team also salvaged materials from the owner’s childhood home that were reused \u2013 like the front door, floor tiles and plumbing features \u2013 or repurposed \u2013 metal details transformed into railings and rain chains and flooring that became the dining room table.<\/p>\n

Every material was chosen for its low embodied carbon (LEC) footprint, according to Cain.<\/p>\n

“We actively avoided using reinforced concrete and minimized metal fixtures wherever possible,” Cain said, explaining that designing with LEC materials goes beyond sustainability to foster differentiated architecture.<\/p>\n

\"BrazilianLocal stone meets Brazilian hardwoods on the interior<\/p>\n

“In this project, focusing on LEC materials required innovative workarounds \u2013 designing doorknobs without metal, detailing all wood windows that can withstand harsh ocean-front conditions, repurposing closet doors as headboards, designing visually porous railings from reused steel and recycled plastic rope, and on and on,” Cain continued. said.<\/p>\n

“Figuring out these workarounds was a lot of fun for me.”<\/p>\n

\"WoodenSalvaged materials were used throughout<\/p>\n

The main house is split into three floors that descend down the hillside.<\/p>\n

Accessed by descending an outdoor staircase made of stone, the top floor contains the entry, primary suite, a home office and guest room space \u2013 as well as the swimming pool and pool pavilion that maximise ocean views from the high vantage point.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Estudio<\/p>\n

Est\u00fadio Rossi Arquitetos “transforms memory into architecture” at Brazilian beach house\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Below, the main social spaces include an open kitchen, dining room and living room that open to outdoor terraces on the second level. The lowest floor houses two guest suites and a home theatre.<\/p>\n

“The level’s organization responds to the steep site, adding features that mimic the natural water flow such as cascading rainwater systems, waterfalls, natural pools and water gardens,” the team said.<\/p>\n

\"WacaA multi-storey staircase connects the sprawling residence<\/p>\n

Held together by the multi-story staircase, the design’s section is defined by split roof forms that follow the slope of the hill, define the individual interior spaces and direct views through floor-to-ceiling windows outward to the water.<\/p>\n

“Slate block structural walls are all exposed on the interior \u2013 a brutalist aesthetic \u2013 juxtaposed with warm tones of Canela preta salvaged hardwood covering floors, walls and ceilings,” the team said, explaining that the exterior is wrapped in sustainably harvested tropical hardwood from the Brazilian Amazon.<\/p>\n

\"BrazilianPools and solar panels were included throughout the terraced site<\/p>\n

Other residences recently completed in Brazil include a cross-laminated timber, modular house<\/a> by Nitsche Arquitetos outside of S\u00e3o Paolo, a screened vacation home<\/a> by Estudio Rossi Arquitetos in S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o and a contemporary cabin<\/a> by Cornetta Arquitetura in the Atlantic Forest.<\/p>\n

The photography is by Pedro Kok<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Project credits:<\/p>\n

Design architect: WaCa Design
Architect of record: Julia Kosciuk
Construction manager: Engenho Construindo com Arte<\/p>\n