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Project Details:

Location: Flores da Cunha, Brazil

Architect: Desterro Arquitetos

Footprint: 300 square feet

From the Architect: “Cabana Solena is located on a rural property in the countryside of Flores da Cunha, RS, Brazil. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, customers dreamed of a place of refuge that would allow a deep connection with nature. For that, the program was organized in two volumes.

“The main volume, with a gable roof that goes to the ground and two glass panes, has a lower ceiling height on its sides, reinforcing the feeling of coziness. In it, the bed, a small living space, the wood-burning heater and the kitchen counter are arranged. This volume has a skylight on one side, allowing the user to see the sky both during the day and in the often cold, starry nights.

“The secondary volume, attached to the main one, contains the bathroom. It consists of a floor-to-ceiling frame on one of its sides, facing the landscaped exterior. In this way, the user can shower fully connected to nature. The program extends to the outside through a deck and side area, with an outdoor table, grill, floor fire and wood-burning hot tub. In the vicinity of the cabin there are also bergamot trees, Galician lemon and other local fruits, available for consumption.

“With the aim of maximizing the integration with the external space and with nature, the cabin does not have curtains or blinds. From the interiors, changes in the weather condition or time of day can be observed, as if the outside were part of the internal environment with its colors, sounds and aspects. Fire is one of the main elements of the experience, whether that’s the firepit for cold nights, using the parrilla for grilling, or the wood-burning stove or hot tub.”