the structure of this residence designed by bloco arquitetos consists of ten identical concrete porticoes. located in brasília, brazil’s capital city, the project’s porticoes are connected by ‘volterran’ slabs composed of latticed concrete beams and holed ceramic bricks. ‘the slabs were connected to the porticoes by an on-site experimental method that allowed the precast joists to be aligned with the underside of the main concrete beam of the portico,’ explain the architects. ‘in this way, the slabs are ‘hanging’ on the beams, rather than resting on them.’

all images by haruo mikami

set three meters (10 feet) apart, the concrete frames that gave ‘portico house’ its name also helped keep it within budget. furthermore, the simple configuration allowed the dwelling to be built by the construction workers available. ‘in this project we tested an alternative form of articulation between two conventional elements of brazilian construction: the cast concrete structure and the precast concrete and ceramic block,’ says bloco arquitetos. ‘the premises adopted were the use of low-cost materials and the adoption of low maintenance solutions.’

measuring 215 square meters (2,314 square feet), the house contains an open plan living space, with cooking, dining, and lounging areas, as well as three bedrooms. many areas of the home feature floor to ceiling glazing that presents views of the garden surrounding the property. a timber deck, complete with a circular hot tub, provides residents with a place to relax outside.

‘the scarcity of skilled labor and the low development of the construction industry are part of the reality that influences our work in brasília,’ say the architects. ‘thus, we consider that the imperfection and inaccuracy inherent in the traditional method of construction used in the region are characteristics that need to be understood in the ‘low-tech’ brazilian construction, to be better qualified, re-framed and reinterpreted in our architecture.’ other projects completed by bloco arquitetos in brasília include the restoration of a private home originally completed in 1974 and a brick building outside of the city center.

name: portico house location: brasília, brazil architect: bloco arquitetos (daniel mangabeira, henrique coutinho, and matheus seco) photography: haruo mikami

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