Japi House

A contemporary refuge at the foothills of Serra do Japi, in the countryside of São Paulo state, serves as the setting for an architectural project that revives ancient construction techniques. Japi House, designed by UNA Barbara Valentim, blends api House, designed by UNA Barbara Valentim, blends made of rammed-earth (a technique brought to Brazil by the Portuguese during the colonial period, it involves compressing earth into walls using a tool called pilão, within a wooden structure known as taipal), with exposed concrete and a rooftop garden, resulting in a robust and expressive materiality that sensitively connects with the landscape while ensuring optimal environmental performance.

The residence organically adapts to a radial plot to a radial plot through a curvilinear rammed earth wall, highlighting materiality as a defining identity element while safeguarding the privacy of the residents from the street and neighboring properties. Its binuclear organization is organized around a central access that leads to fluid spaces oriented towards a spacious garden and a pool at the rear. The striking horizontality of the construction contrasts with a vertical tower that houses the bathrooms, water reservoirs, and technical equipment, creating a distinctive feature in the volumetric composition.

Bioclimatic strategies are embedded in every aspect of the design: an internal courtyard promotes cross ventilation and natural lighting, while generous eaves and verandas protect the interiors from direct sunlight. Additionally, the accessible rooftop functions as an elevated garden, improving thermal mass and providing a sustainable base for installing solar panels, maximizing energy efficiency.

Japi House exemplifies how architecture can be both a comfortable retreat and an integral part of its natural surroundings, demonstrating UNA Barbara Valentim's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and spatial quality.