The 7 most beautiful (and sustainable!) houses in CASACOR

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this subject: some people believe that World Architecture Day takes place on July 1st, while others celebrate the date on the first Monday of October. Here at CASACOR, we decided to celebrate on both days. After all, it's not every day that we have the opportunity to honor a profession capable of changing the future of cities with smart, sustainable and, above all, humane living . Therefore, we have selected seven unforgettable homes from CASACOR, which stood out in their respective exhibitions not only for their aesthetic and architectural beauty, but also for essential principles of contemporary living , such as sustainability and mobility. Check out CASACOR's selection of the 7 most beautiful houses below!

1. Syshaus House, Arthur Casas

The most unforgettable project at CASACOR São Paulo 2018 is the Syshaus House , which showcased the SysHaus modular system developed by Arthur Casas ' office. The technology made it possible to build a high-end home in less than a month, with virtually zero waste and water consumption . Each part of the project was designed exclusively based on its needs and specifications, in an extremely efficient and functional way, without debris and with reduced execution time . With 200 m² , the structure of steel pillars, beams and screws does not require foundations or concreting. Everything is fitted together, from the floor to the ceiling. Around 90% of the components come from the custom factory . In addition, 100% of the materials used are recyclable, and there is a green roof that naturally contributes to thermal and acoustic comfort, giving maximum respect to nature in all construction processes.

Generous openings allow ventilation and natural light to permeate the house, reducing energy consumption for lighting and air conditioning. The furniture was designed in modules , meaning that, like the structure of the house, it can be assembled in another location. The construction method also includes sustainable everyday practices , such as a mechanism for collecting and reusing rainwater; a biodigestion system, which transforms organic waste into gas for use in the fireplace and kitchen, and into fertilizer for use in the garden or vegetable patch; and sockets for electric vehicles. When commercialized, the Syshaus House model can also include photovoltaic panels , which, through their intelligent monitoring system, make the most of solar energy .

2. Lite House, Duda Porto

Duda Porto did not fail to surprise once again in his latest participation in CASACOR São Paulo. Casa Lite , with a total area of 190 m², was completed in just 40 days . Valuing the essential, the project is self-sufficient, modular and sustainable , with clean and quick execution. Developed by the professional in 2013, the Lite system is based on an architecture of planning and efficiency , in which every detail is thought out for the best use of material, transportation, integration between man, architecture and the space around it. The idea is to seek a perfect balance between nature and inhabitants , using technologies and essential architectural lines to create a cozy and contemporary home, with minimal environmental impact . Presented as a representation of this idea, the Lite house features a modular system that makes it nomadic, allowing it to be disassembled, transported and reassembled anywhere. “The Lite house was born from the search for less excess and more essence . We believe that housing is a meeting point in the constant movement of life. A stage for our relationships with nature and with those we love , ” says Duda.

The construction system, based on metal structures, does not require concreting, making the work clean, with low water consumption and reduced waste . The house also has a rainwater collection system and solar panels, which are capable of meeting a large part of the energy demand. In the decoration, Duda opted for wood-like coverings , which warm up the spaces. In the private area, a natural stone wall contrasts with the wood. The large frames and folding doors with muxarabi allow the entry of natural light and cross ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning. In time: Duda Porto's project, in addition to winning the Healthy Home seal, through the Healthy Building Certificate, was transported to the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro and transformed into the country house of the couple Bruno Gagliasso and Giovana Ewbank .

3. Onyx House, Gabriel Bordin

In his second participation in CASACOR Santa Catarina , Gabriel Bordin created a luxury residence focused on relaxation. In the garden next to Casa Ônix by Karsten , the large trees and foliage remained intact and embraced the 75 m² horizontal installation. Designed as a safe place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the greatest inspiration comes from the balance, strength and restoration provided by the onyx stone, which gives the space its name. Through the openings created by the large glass panels combined with the wooden slats, the external garden and natural light enter the space , connecting the internal area with the greenery. The minimalist comfort , Gabriel's trademark, reinforces that the main protagonist of the house is nature . The ultimate in relaxation is the bathtub with a water mirror , inviting visitors to temporarily disconnect from the outside world and immerse themselves in a spa session. In the background, the balcony with a lush vertical garden captures the eye.

Surrounded by an energy field made of coal, the refuge guarantees energetic cleansing , as Gabriel explains: “as the house has a concept of transmutation , all its elements were designed with this concept in mind, so the coal also carries within itself an essence of energetic cleansing”.

4. House of Sibipirunas, Otto Felix

The metal beams are the starting and finishing points of Casa das Sibipirunas , designed by Otto Felix for CASACOR São Paulo 2019. They form an open and permeable structure, enclosed in glass, which conducts natural light and shapes the spaces in different ways throughout the day . At night, the lighting between the pillars creates a scenic atmosphere. A delicate visual play that elevates minimalism to another power. This reinterpretation of a country house , which integrates a living room with fireplace, kitchen and a suite with a closet in 250 m², was one of the most celebrated spaces at the São Paulo show. It has already been mentioned, for example, on websites such as Archdaily and Designboom – to name just a few. The house was designed to be light and easy to build . Glass in the enclosure, plaster and Roman travertine take turns reinventing the concept of a country house, with a minimalist vision . Right at the entrance, the visitor is guided along a wooden walkway and a garden rich in greenery, providing a tropical welcome. The landscaping is perpetuated throughout the interiors thanks to the transparent architecture designed by Otto. Inspired by solutions from the 1940s and 1950s, the professional used ceramic flooring found in old buildings in the city of São Paulo as a reference. He recreated the layout with shards using Roman travertine marble, which came from the reuse of leftovers from a marble factory.

The same stone is the raw material for the countertop of the minimalist kitchen, seen as a kind of ruin that can be confused with an artistic intervention . Behind the metalwork doors, there is a small and functional kitchen. The bathroom follows the same concept, with faceted partitions that emerge from the floor in an organic way, framing the shower and the DECA sink. The dining table is an original design by the professional, executed with brass legs and a granite top in a rustic imperial coffee tone.

5. Casa Grigio, Cris Passing and Giovane Marangoni

Casa Grigio was the most awarded space at CASACOR Santa Catarina 2018 – and not without reason. The project, designed by architects Cris Passing and Giovane Marangoni, brought to the show the most sophisticated construction techniques. The professional used Canadian wood frames so that the entire house could be built in just 40 days and with practically no waste . Like a "blank piece of paper" on a free and easy-to-explore plot of land, the house blends the architectural structure with the landscape design , making them not only complement each other but also serve the same purpose. The large glass enclosures enhance the natural light and the view of the land just ahead. From the clean concept , integrated spaces and inspiration from Italian design in shades of gray, the name Casa Grigio emerged – a timeless and elegant project. The sustainable wood frame construction system allowed the house to be completed in record time , but not only that – it also makes it easier to relocate . With the end of the exhibition, Casa Grigio found its new home in the municipality of Rancho Queimado, just under 70 km from Florianópolis. There, the project serves as Cris Passing's country house , on a plot of land full of greenery and with a beautiful view of the countryside.

Giving new life and a functional purpose to the project is part of the sustainable idea that guided the construction. All the wood used comes from reforestation and the furniture was selected according to sustainability certifications. The ecological journey is completed with the reuse of the entire environment .

6. Container House, Marília Pellegrini

The Cosentino Container House was one of the highlights of CASACOR São Paulo 2019. The project highlights the truth of the materials and excellent finishes that, without excess, bring a cozy air to the minimalist home. During construction, two containers were joined together to form the 60 m² house. It has an integrated living room, kitchen and laundry room, as well as a bedroom with a comfortable bathroom. The unusual choice of structure was based on the premise of sustainability: it promotes a clean, fast, dry construction with 100% reuse . In addition, it provides mobility and agility because it can be transported without great difficulty . The brise-soleils around the box control the light , without interrupting the view of the landscape in the interior spaces. The patio complements the useful area, adding another 40 m² to the project and bringing architecture and nature closer together. The bedroom, living room and bathroom are organically connected by the hallway. The continuous strip of light helps to connect the spaces. At the same time, the natural textures of the light wood and fabrics make the resting space cozy – the delicacy is surprising when you are in a shipping container .

In construction, white dominates. It imposes itself in a calm and striking way, exposing the few good elements that subtly punctuate. Pieces by designers such as Oki Sato bring sophistication to the space, which is covered in the ultra-compact Dekton surface. The material has the noble appearance of marble, has technology that makes it easy to clean and can be used in both indoor and outdoor areas.

7. Up House, UP3 Architecture

One of the most memorable projects at CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2021 , Casa Up by Metalmarco is a contemporary construction designed with a metal structure made exclusively for the show. The house barely interferes with the landscape of the 12,000 m² of Atlantic Forest – in fact, it draws its strength from the garden. The project, designed by the trio Michelle Wilkinson , Thiago Morsh and Cadé Marino , combines the Scandinavian way of living with the typical Rio de Janeiro style. The sustainable residence was built dry, with little waste and reduced construction time. In the decoration, stone, clay, wood and cotton are used in the composition of the open and multifunctional spaces , providing a reconnection with nature through the large glass openings – an aspect that is also further reinforced by the palette in earthy tones and forest green . On the outside, the highlight is the cobogós , which divide the internal and external areas, in addition to permeating the light.