Dezanove House: A Testament to Cultural Integration and Sustainability

Inaki Leite's Award-Winning Design Marries Tradition with Innovation

The Dezanove House borrows from the tradition of its surroundings, telling a story through its design and detailing. Its shape, technology, and materials are all inspired by the local fishing industry. The house resembles the old booths on top of mussel production platforms, known as "bateas", and some parts of the house appear to float, much like these platforms.

The architect's inspiration came from the reclaimed eucalyptus wood of the bateas. Eucalyptus wood is used in these platforms, and there are vast extensions of this tree in the region. The age of the wood is not hidden, and the different outer and inner faces of the wood are used to create different sensations. The very intention of using this material, shape, and technology was to integrate the architecture of the building with the culture and tradition of the area.

The house was constructed using 625 beams of reclaimed eucalyptus wood, a testament to the project's commitment to sustainability. This was made possible through a collaboration with the local craftsman of the fishing industry in the region. After several iterations regarding additional treatments and final composition, as well as the detailing of the hardware for the movable parts, the final solution came after about 16 months.

The project faced the challenge of integrating industrial design for fishing into a dwelling. However, the result is a house that not only respects the local culture and tradition but also contributes to the sustainability of the area. The house was completed in 14 months, from 2010 to 2012.

The Dezanove House is a shining example of how design can be used to promote cultural integration and sustainability. Its award from the A' Design Award is a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation. As the award description states, "These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder."