The land is located in Sousas, one of the four districts of the city of Campinas - São Paulo and even though it is only 10 km from the bustling city center, it retains very distinctive characteristics, with an inland feel, protected from the city's high degree of industrialization. The climate in the region is typical of the mountains and in winter there can be a temperature difference of up to 2ºC lower than in the rest of the city.

The sloping plot is one of the highest in the condominium. It overlooks the Serra das Cabras, the highest point in the city of Campinas, which has its summit at 1020 m above sea level.

In order to integrate with the nature of the land, the project exploited the original slope of the plot and proposed the distribution of the house in half levels. The result of this leveling ensured the creation of 4 internal levels with different uses: garage, services, living space and the intimate bedroom area. The project was guided by the optimization of natural lighting and ventilation and the possibility of integrating the more permanent environments.

The floor plan tends towards an L-shaped configuration, allowing for greater integration of the ground floor with the patio generated as an outdoor extension of the kitchen and dining room.

On the façade, a straight prism with a 5.5m overhang extends close to the front setback of the plot, giving the large volume an interesting feeling of lightness. The south façade justifies the large opening projected in the double-height volume, as it optimizes the natural lighting of a large part of the house.

BIOCLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS

Heat generation systems

The house heats itself in two ways to prevent it from cooling down in winter:

1. Due to its thermal insulation and the fact that most of its glazed surface is to the east.
2. Due to its shape and orientation, the house heats itself through the "greenhouse effect" and direct solar radiation.

Cooling generation systems

The project allows the house to cool itself in three ways to prevent it from heating up in summer:

1. By providing glazed surfaces to the south and solar protection, such as the brises-soleil for direct solar radiation from the east façade. Internal blinds block out up to 90% of U.V. radiation, allowing adequate solar control inside the rooms.
2. Cooling down by means of ventilation from shaded spaces originating in the courtyards generated by the house's decompaction.
3. Evacuating hot air to the outside of the house by means of natural convection. Automated upper windows extract the hot air.

Accumulation systems (heat and cooling)

The heat generated during the day in winter (by the "greenhouse effect" and direct solar radiation) accumulates in the slabs and interior walls. In this way, the house stays warm throughout the night without the need for energy consumption. The cooling generated during the night in summer (by natural ventilation and a drop in temperature) renews the air and accumulates in the slabs and internal walls. In this way, the house stays cool during the day with no energy consumption.

Natural ventilation

Ventilation in the house is continuous and natural. The orientation and layout of the house allows the prevailing winds to enter the house, allowing adequate ventilation in most areas of the house. Well-oriented windows allow the wind to circulate continuously in order to cool off on hot summer days and days with high relative humidity.

SUSTAINABILITY

Resource optimization

The search for a more sustainable design makes the most of natural resources such as the sun (to heat the house), the wind (to cool and regulate humidity) and rainwater (to water the garden, flush the toilet and clean the outside areas).

Reduced energy consumption

In this project, hot water is generated by solar collectors, natural lighting is predominant in all areas of the house, only being needed when there is no more natural light, and ventilation is constant to cool off in the hot summer months. The main objective of a bioclimatic design is to eliminate technological devices that provide heat and cooling to a building.

Improving users' health and well-being

The house is naturally ventilated and makes the most of natural light. It also has a good side setback area shaded by a tree, providing leisure opportunities for users, creating a healthy environment and increasing the quality of life for the home's occupants.