UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo

UNA barbara valentim combines rammed earth with exposed concrete and a rooftop garden, creating an energy-efficient structure.

thomai tsimpou February 20, 2025 3 min

UNA Barbara Valentim completes rammed earth home in brazil

UNA Barbara Valentim introduces Japi House, a residence that sits at the foothills of Serra do Japi in the São Paulo countryside and reinterprets ancient construction techniques. The house is built using rammed earth, an old method brought to Brazil during the colonial period, where soil is compacted into a wooden mold called a taipal. Here, the team led by Fernanda Barbara and Fabio Valentim combines it with exposed concrete and a rooftop garden, creating a structure that feels deeply connected to its surroundings while also being energy-efficient.

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 1 — all images courtesy of Nelson Kon

internal courtyard enhances the energy efficiency of japi house

One of the most distinctive features of the project by the São Paulo-based studio UNA Barbara Valentim is its curved, rammed earth wall, which follows the shape of the plot and provides privacy from the street and neighboring properties. The layout is divided into two main sections, with a central entrance leading into open living spaces that flow into a garden and pool at the back. A tall vertical tower stands out from the volume, containing the bathrooms, water tanks, and technical equipment.

Bioclimatic strategies are central to the design. An internal courtyard helps with natural ventilation and daylight, while deep overhangs and covered outdoor spaces protect the interiors from excessive heat. Helping to make the home more energy-efficient, the rooftop acts as an extra layer of insulation and serves as a base for solar panels.

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 2 — the curving, rammed earth wall follows the shape of the plot

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 3 — the combines rammed earth with exposed concrete and a rooftop garden

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 4 — building with rammed earth is an old method brought to Brazil during the colonial period

una-barbara-valentim-japi-house-curving-rammed-earth-walls-sao-paulo-designboom-large2 — folding wooden shades shield the interior from the sunlight

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 5 — soil is compacted into a wooden mold called a taipal

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 6 — the garden and the pool are located at the back

una-barbara-valentim-japi-house-curving-rammed-earth-walls-sao-paulo-designboom-large4 — exposed concrete is found in the interior

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 7 — an internal courtyard helps with natural ventilation and daylight

UNA barbara valentim wraps japi house with curved rammed earth walls in são paulo - 8 — bioclimatic strategies are central to the design

una-barbara-valentim-japi-house-curving-rammed-earth-walls-sao-paulo-designboom-large3 — a tall vertical tower stands out from the volume

the residence sits at the foothills of Serra do Japi in the São Paulo countryside wood decking surrounds the pool large openings let sunlight inside reinterpreting ancient construction techniques the rooftop acts as an extra layer of insulation an open space hosts the living room and the kitchen wooden details complete the interior a structure that feels deeply connected to its surroundings floor plan by UNA barbara valentim floor plan with vegetation by UNA barbara valentim section D by UNA barbara valentim section E by UNA barbara valentim section C by UNA barbara valentim

project info:

name: Japi House

architect: UNA Barbara Valentim | @unabv_

location: Cabreúva, São Paulo, Brazil

lead architects: Fernanda Barbara & Fabio Valentim
collaborators: Fernando Cunha, Rodrigo Carvalho, Yasmin Dejean
building installations: KML Engenharia de Instalações (Eng. Sérgio Kater)
mechanical installations: EGK Serviços de Ar Condicionado (Eng. Estevão Klein)
landscaping: Arqui_M (Arq. Luísa Mellis)
lighting design: Lux Projetos (Ricardo Héder)
rammed earth walls: Taipal (Arq. Marcio Hoffmann)
construction: Taguá Engenharia (Eng. Rafael Queiroz)

photographer: Nelson Kon | @nelsonkonfotografias