Casa Acqua: A Sustainable Innovation in Residential Architecture

Cristina Menezes' Award-Winning Design Marries Ancient Roman Concepts with Modern Sustainability

Conceptualized along the lines of ancient Roman dwellings, Casa Acqua features an O-shaped floor plan with an inner courtyard, allowing for visual integration of all spaces. The design includes four individualized modules, each surrounded by water mirrors symbolizing the central fountain of the Roman homes. The full openness of the modules ensures maximum natural ventilation and lighting, while vertical awnings provide privacy.

What sets Casa Acqua apart is its commitment to sustainability and health. The design caters specifically to the current global situation, offering a home that is in tune with nature and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The use of prefabricated modules not only reduces the impact of construction on nature but also shortens construction time and cost.

The realization of Casa Acqua was achieved using four pre-fabricated modules, allowing for a swift construction process. The modules facilitated the use of synthetic coatings and sub-multiples of their measurements, ensuring minimal waste and less impact on nature. The design is fully open, promoting complete integration with the outdoor area.

With a total area of two hundred and ten square meters, including the water mirrors, Casa Acqua is a compact yet spacious dwelling. The design was created for a young couple to live in full contact with nature, amidst the pandemic, in Brazil. The project started in May 2021 and was completed in September 2021 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The design faced the challenge of closing Casa Acqua without glass frames, as per the client's request for full ventilation and natural lighting. To ensure privacy and protection from the sun, rain, insects, and strong winds, vertical windshield and awnings were used that seal 95%. This solution guaranteed the sustainability and healthiness of the home, even in pandemic times, without the need for air conditioning.

In conclusion, Casa Acqua is a testament to the transformative power of architecture in shaping our lives and the environment. By marrying ancient concepts with modern sustainability, Cristina Menezes has created a design that is not only beautiful and functional but also a beacon of hope for a better world. As we navigate through these challenging times, Casa Acqua serves as a reminder of the role architecture can play in promoting health, sustainability, and harmony with nature.