Wall of bushy plants fronts São Paulo housing block by TACOA

A square wall covered in plants announces the presence of this concrete housing block in São Paulo by Brazilian architecture studio TACOA (photos by Leonardo Finotti + slideshow).

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

Entitled Vila Aspicuelta, the terrace of eight compact houses sits perpendicular to the adjacent street, but its north-facing end wall provides a growing area for a variety of bushy plants and shrubs.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

Rodrigo Cerviño Lopez and Fernando Falcon of TACOA chose to plan the building as a series of maisonettes rather than as a simple housing block, meaning that each residence would have more than one floor and its own private access.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

“The eight houses that compose Vila Aphins challenge the logic of vertical buildings: the different units are disposed side by side horizontally, and function vertically,” said the architects.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

The building is raised off the ground to create parking spaces at ground level. Eight separate concrete staircases lead up to each of the residences, creating a zigzagging volume along the western edge of the block.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

The first floor of every house is a living area with a kitchen counter and enough space for a dining table.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

A second row of staircases leads up to bedrooms and bathrooms on the next level up, while a third set of stairs ascends to private gardens on the roof.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

Wooden screens cover a wall of windows in the bedroom and bathroom of each home, but fold back to reveal a row of balconies at the rear.

Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA

The east-facing orientation of these windows ensures that the houses are filled with sunlight in the mornings but are shaded during hot afternoons.

Site plan of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Site plan – click for larger image

Photography is by Leonardo Finotti.

Here’s some extra information from TACOA:


Vila Aspicuelta

The eight houses that compose Vila Aphins challenge the logic of vertical buildings: the different units are disposed side by side horizontally, and function vertically.

Ground floor plan of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Ground floor plan – click for larger image

The street continues through the villa, partially covered by the building, and gives access to the staircase of each individual unit. The parking lot, gardens and common areas are also placed on this street.

First floor plan of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
First floor plan – click for larger image

On the first floor of every house, one single area provides space for the kitchen, dining and living. The second floor was conceptualised as a private area, a bedroom with a balcony and garden and a bathroom. Finally, on the rooftop, an open air plaza is set, with individual spaces.

Second floor plan of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Second floor plan – click for larger image

The eastern orientation of the villa enables the houses to enjoy sunny mornings, shady afternoons and crossed ventilation. The western facade hosts the access stairs of the houses and unifies all the units, providing the vila its wavy project identity.

Section A of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Section A – click for larger image

Architect: TACOA Arquitetos – Rodrigo Cerviño Lopez and Fernando Falcon
Collaborator: Eloá Augusto Gonçalves

Section B of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Section B – click for larger image
Section C of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Section C – click for larger image
Section C, D and north elevation of Wall of bushy plants fronts Sao Paulo housing block by TACOA
Section C, D and north elevation – click for larger image

The post Wall of bushy plants fronts São Paulo
housing block by TACOA
appeared first on Dezeen.

No Responses to “Wall of bushy plants fronts São Paulo housing block by TACOA”

Post a Comment