Tropical Home: Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Picture of an impressive tropical home as seen from the air
Tropical Home: Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

This beautiful little exotic beach house is built on a beach outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Designed by Mareines + Patalano, it is really a good escaping place when cold winter strikes up on the north. Inspired by banana leaf, this tropical home is built without corridors, offering one big open space and connecting the nature with human. 


"This project was inspired by Brazil's Indian architecture, perfectly suited for the hot and humid climate where it stands, Angra dos Reis, one hour drive south of Rio de Janeiro.

The roof acts as a big leaf that protects from the hot sun all the enclosed spaces of the house as the in-between open spaces, truly the most important ones . These in-between open spaces represent the essence of the design. They are the social areas, where the the owner of the house and his guests spend most of their time. The very generous heights of these spaces, wich varies from 3 to 9 metres, allow the SE trade winds from the sea to pass perfectly longitudinally trough the building, providindg natural ventilation and and passive cooling both to the enclosed and open spaces. We see it as low-tech ecoefficiency, where it has the greatest impact, the concept of the architectural design."
         -Mareines + Patalano

Picture of open living room by the pool
Leaf House living room by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of wooden model of the house
Leaf House model by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of living and dining area by the pool as seen from the upper floor
Leaf House living and dining area by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of private pier and the boat as seen from the air
Leaf House private pier  by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house as seen from the backyard
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of open living area as seen across the pool from the backyard
Leaf House living area by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of small tropical bathroom
Leaf House bathroom by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house and the pool area as seen at sunset from the backyard
Leaf House pool area by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house and palm trees all around
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of large tropical interiors of the leaf house
Leaf House interior by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of modern minimalist concrete staircase to the upper floor
Leaf House staircase by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the kitchen window in the leaf house
Leaf House kitchen window by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the massage room with purple bed and golden curtains
Leaf House massage room by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the sink in the bathroom
Leaf House bathroom by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of modern tropical bedroom with wooden bed
Leaf House bedroom by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house wooden ceiling as seen from the upper floor
Leaf House ceiling by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the movie room with glass walls as seen from the outside
Leaf House movie room by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

picture of the leaf house as seen from the hill
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house living area as seen during the day
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the beach and the ocean as seen from the living area in the leaf house
Leaf House living area by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house as seen from the backyard
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

Picture of the leaf house as seen from the pier
Leaf House by Mareines and Patalano, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© Leonardo Finotti

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