The project of the
Casa Crioula, created by Stephanie Ribeiro at
CASACOR Ceará 2025, originated from a research conducted by the architect that identified Ceará as one of the few Brazilian states with
houses for heirloom seeds — community spaces dedicated to the preservation of traditional species and the strengthening of family farming. This discovery directly aligns with "
Sowing Dreams", the theme of CASACOR 2025. “The Casa Crioula arises from the desire to
celebrate the seed as the origin of everything — life, knowledge, and dreams. It reminds us that sowing is also a
gesture of care, continuity, and resistance,” explains Stephanie. The architect, who has participated in
CASACOR in São Paulo, now moves to Ceará to immerse herself in the cultural richness of the state. "The houses of seeds have become, for me, a deep inspiration," she says. "I believe that architecture can draw inspiration from family farming because it is also a cultural asset."
With an oval shape and aesthetics marked by curves,
the projects translate the organic nature of the seeds into architecture and the continuous movement of life. The sinuous forms create a
fluid, welcoming, and rigidity-free projects — an invitation to crossing, meetings, and shelter.
The structure, built with
sustainable bricks, originates from a single module that, when replicated, refers to the logic of multiplying seeds, transforming into landscape. This choice reinforces the
commitment to an ancestral architecture, rooted in care for the land and in dialogue with manual craftsmanship and family farming.
Open like a seed split in half, the Casa Crioula divides into two complementary spaces:
on one side, an external area with native vegetation and a curved bench integrated into the architecture; on the other, an internal living area where intense tones pay homage to heirloom seeds, guardians of biodiversity and cultural memory.
One of the walls of the installation features a purple mural by Cearense artist Marta Brizeno, representing the
act of sowing and
agriculture as gestures of continuity and hope. The curation also gathers Cearense artists, artisans, and designers — including
Wilson Neto,
Estúdio Sabá, and
Bekka Studio — reinforcing the bond between territory, art, and ancestry. The seeds also appear in
handcrafted objects created for the projects, produced in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Development (SDA), CEART, and the Fibrarte Fiber Association. Made with
natural fibers and
seeds harvested in rural areas of Ceará, the pieces celebrate the continuity and memory of manual work, transforming the seed into a symbol of belonging, resistance, and future.
Furthermore, a short documentary accompanies the Casa Crioula, documenting the
creative process of the projects and reflecting on the importance of heirloom seeds. The production was done in partnership with Instituto Mirante and involved local talents such as Samuel Macedo and Hélio Filho.
The film will be screened throughout the duration of the show, reaffirming the purpose of Casa Crioula to sow dreams.
