COTTAGE IN BARAO
An environmentally-friendly cottage built in Barão de São João, Lagos. The project was developed with the timber company VivaMundial, on a research on wood pre-fabricated construction systems.
The two-hut compound, which measures 12m x 6.6m x 4.5m, features solar panels on the roof, which are projected to produce enough energy for the inhabitants of the building. A composting latrine has also been included which will provide enough bio gas for one household and rainwater collectors will supply water for the showers. Using the concept that the design had to be as an environmentally friendly as possible, locally-produced materials were used in the project, like local stone and adobe bricks.
The design is not based on any local building tradition of constructing. The brief called for a small studio and bedroom and inspiration came from Japanese cottages and can be observed by the pear shaped windows, The walls are built with adobe and finished with clay render inside. The exterior expresses the constructive system of post and beam.