breezy brazilian ‘casa GS’ built with lofty timber interiors by attmo arquitetos

attmo arquitetos unveils a coastal home in bahia

Casa GS, designed by Attmo Arquitetos, is located in Trancoso, on the south coast of Bahia, Brazil. The home is situated just 700 meters (nearly a half-mile) from the beach and 4.5 kilometers (nearly three miles) from the Quadrado, an historic fishing village now known for its shops and restaurants. With its remote, coastal site, the residence is conceived as a sanctuary of tranquility for a couple from São Paulo. The project, designed with an expressive timber structure, prioritizes a fluid integration with the surrounding greenery and a sense of openness.

The property occupies an elongated rectangular footprint. To optimize this layout, the architects divide the house into four distinct modules. The first two, dedicated to private and service areas, occupy the front half of the site, while the latter two, designed for social and leisure activities, are positioned toward the rear, overlooking a large open green space.

casa gs: a house of four modules

Attmo Arquitetos situates Module 01 of Casa GS closest to the street, and programs it with a gym, storage space, and a covered parking area with a pergola. Module 02, a two-story structure, includes guest suites, a wine cellar, a kitchen, a laundry area, and accommodations for a caretaker on the ground floor. The upper level features a master suite, two children’s suites, a TV room, and a small office. The architects ensure that all bedrooms face east and have private gardens. The upper-floor suites incorporate a wooden muxarabi-style screen for added privacy and thermal comfort.

Module 03 consists of the main living and dining areas, along with a covered balcony. Its double-height ceiling and extensive glazing promote cross-ventilation and direct interaction with the landscape. Module 04 serves as the gourmet area, featuring a large open-air covered balcony. A stone-clad privacy wall separates it from neighboring properties. The bathrooms are positioned underground, optimizing space and maintaining the visual openness of the site.

timber framework and copper details

Encircling Module 04 of Attmo Arquitetos’ Casa GS is a uniquely shaped swimming pool, which includes a sundeck, a small beach, a hydrotherapy section, and a swimming lane. Its triangular form follows the contours of the property. A wooden walkway connects all four modules, weaving through the landscape with water features that enhance both cooling and ambiance.

The house’s structure is primarily composed of glued laminated timber, except for the ground floors of the two-story modules, which utilize a concrete base to anchor the wooden framework above. This construction method allows for larger spans and reduced maintenance. Natural materials define the residence, including micro cement flooring, cumaru wood decking, green candeias granite pool cladding, moledo stone garden walls, pine wood tiles, and copper light fixtures.

Attmo Arquitetos also curated the interior design, incorporating regional elements such as antique trunks, copper kitchenware, and repurposed mill screws transformed into light fixtures. Locally crafted straw is used in ceiling finishes, while light-colored canvas and twill fabrics contribute to the home’s relaxed atmosphere.

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project info:

name: Casa GS

architect: Attmo Arquitetos | @attmoarquitetos

location: Porto Seguro, Brazil

completion: 2024

photography: © Wilson Dorigon | @wilsondorigon

lead architect: Tadeu Oliveira e Maianah Coin
architectural design: Felipe Correia, Maria Elisa
interior design: Gislayne Felix
landscape: Mauricio Prada Paisagismo
lighting design: Carlos Fortes
wooden structure: Calil Neto
concrete structure: Italo Leone
construction: Sergio Ramos e Pauliana Farias