Casa Piracaia / Arquipélago Arquitetos

Architects: Arquipélago Arquitetos
Year: 2024
Photography: Pedro Kok
Consulting and Execution of Rammed Earth: Artesania Engenharia, Alain Briatte
Wood Structure: Guilherme Stamato – Stamade Estruturas
Installations: Jarreta Projetos
Woodworking: AJ
Window Frames: Irmãos Farias
Location: Piracaia, São Paulo
Country: Brazil

The Casa Piracaia, designed by Arquipélago Arquitetos in Piracaia, São Paulo, introduces a modular housing system that integrates rammed earth and wood construction. Available in three sizes; 50, 100, and 125 m², the project follows a structural system where rammed earth walls serve as primary load-bearing elements, supporting wooden roof panels through compression. Steel tie rods link the roof to the footings, balancing compression and tensile forces to ensure stability. Footings elevate the walls to prevent moisture damage, while extended eaves provide additional weather protection. The design incorporates built-in cabinetry crafted from repurposed itaúba wood and a centrally placed wood-burning stove, serving both as a heating source and a cooking element. By combining traditional construction techniques with modular adaptability, the project explores the balance between handcrafted and industrialized building methods, offering a sustainable and reproducible housing solution.

Casa Piracaia proposes a modular construction system that utilizes rammed earth and wood, designed to be adaptable in three standardized sizes: 50, 100, and 125 m². The structural framework is centered on rammed earth walls, which function as primary load-bearing elements, supporting wooden roof panels through compression. These walls dictate the spatial organization of the home, defining the internal layout.

Footings provide foundational support for the floor panels and elevate the rammed earth walls by 15 cm, protecting them from rising moisture. Extended eaves from the wooden roof add a layer of defense against rain exposure. To reinforce structural integrity, a steel tie rod is placed at the ends of each compression wall, connecting the roof directly to the footings. This system balances compression and tensile forces, ensuring a stable construction method that can be consistently applied across different house sizes.

The project integrates functional elements that emphasize efficiency and sustainability. Built-in cabinetry defines the kitchen counter and seating area, with all itaúba wood used in the formwork for the rammed earth walls repurposed into this furniture. A centrally positioned wood-burning stove serves as both a cooking element and a heat source, reflecting traditional rural home designs.

Aluminum elements are distributed across three standardized spans that are common to all house models, reinforcing the modular construction approach. Casa Piracaia challenges conventional building methods by exploring the intersection between traditional craftsmanship and industrial production, offering a scalable and sustainable housing model that prioritizes material efficiency and structural durability.