Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Waterfront, Coast
© Pedro Vannucchi

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Waterfront, CoastPier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Windows, Chair, ForestPier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - BeamPier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Table, Chair, Windows, Countertop, Beam, DeckPier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - More Images+ 25

Parati, Brazil
  • Architects: Mariana Simas, a GR a u
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  60
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2008
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Pedro Vannucchi
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Arcelor Mittal, Deca, Perfilor, Tigre
  • Project Team: Gabriel R. Grinspum, Mariana Simas, Isabel Sperry
  • Constructor: Luciênio Costa
  • Modelling: Fabio Pileckas Gionco
  • Trainee: Isabel Sperry
  • City: Parati
  • Country: Brazil
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Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 18 of 30
© Pedro Vannucchi

Text description provided by the architects. The “pier house” was built to house a sailboat during the week and its owners during the weekends. The alternate usage was suggested by the clients, a young couple from São Paulo.

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 24 of 30
Planta 1

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 28 of 30Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 30 of 30Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 25 of 30Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 29 of 30Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - More Images+ 25

The proposal was to divide the house in two volumes. The first one is a solid box covered with whitewash, and its “muxarabi” windows filter the light and allow permanent ventilation. It is the result of the region’s typical construction method, a legacy from colonial times.

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Beam
© Pedro Vannucchi
Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 16 of 30
© Pedro Vannucchi

The second one was constructed with metal tile and pre-fabricated wood structure. This building has profited from the construction’s industrialization in order to dispense the building site and thus avoid the environmental impact.

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Image 22 of 30
Maquete

The house situation in the site has been defined by two premises: the need for proximity to water in order to the boat to enter and preserve the dense vegetation of rainforest. The site is in the Saco do Mamanguá, RJ, a tropical fjord accessible only by boat without power, the very archetype of lost paradise. In this context, the house is pier together the idea of the "noble savage" with modern "eulogy of the machine".

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Windows, Facade
© Pedro Vannucchi

Like a sailboat, poetic symbol of harmony between nature and human condition and, currently, subject of an ultra-sophisticated and green design, the pier house is the house of the “natural man” that makes use of sustainable benefits of technological advance.

Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas - Waterfront, Coast, Forest
© Pedro Vannucchi

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About this office
Cite: "Pier House / a GR a u + Mariana Simas" 23 Dec 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/44359/pier-house-gabriel-grinspum-mariana-simas> ISSN 0719-8884

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