DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The preservation and valorization of Campinarana - a type of Amazon forest characterized by small trees, whose soil is shallow and clayey - was the starting point for the concept of the project. To minimize deforestation and preserve as much as possible of the Forest, the main architectural strategy for construction in the 20 x 40 m plot was the reversal of the classic housing typology. At Casa Campinarana the rooms are located on the ground floor and the internal living environments, the outside seating and the swimming pool, are located on the upper deck.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: The roof has been the main focus in technical terms. The main transversal volume received a contemporary reinterpretation of the colonial roofs, with 8 pitches in 2 independent levels, allowing the fruition of the winds and the creation of an air mattress in the in-between space, protecting the thermal comfort of the living space of the upper floor of the house. On the East and West side, the roof consists of lateral vertical planes that protect the inhabited spaces from the first and last rays of equatorial sun. There was also the concern to create an independent roof of the house, with the construction of eaves of two meters to the North and to the South, supported only by eight supports in "V". The roof, therefore, can dilate in function of the thermal variation and insolation throughout the year, without compromising the structure of the house.
The choice of Corten as roof material was due to its low maintenance and evolutionary character in harmony with the Forest of Campina and its reddish clay soil so present in the landscapes of the Amazon.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: I'm hoping this award winning design will trigger a more respectfull attitude towards nature in Manaus. Nature is seen as a problem by most of the population when it should be seen as the solution. To preserve and to valorize nature is increasing value to whatever you will build. This vision has to change.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: The process started in 2012 and the house has been completed in January 2018.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: It's a commission but almost without any constraints.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: Does not apply for architectural projects.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: Campinarana is a type of Amazon forest characterized by small trees, whose soil is shallow and clayey.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: To try to get recognition to help change visions about architecture nested in nature environment.