Carlena Mezzalira Pentimalli Transforms Brixen Public Library into a Literary Wonderland

In a rural village nestled on a picturesque hill overlooking the São Miguel river valley, a remarkable housing project called the Palicourea House emerges as a harmonious blend of architectural brilliance and environmental preservation. Located near the boundaries of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, within the expansive Cerrado biome, this residence stands as a testament to sustainable living in one of the world's most biodiverse tropical savannas.

Designed by a family member, a skilled landscape architect dedicated to native species and the conservation of the region's biome, the Palicourea House comprises two distinct buildings—a spacious house and a charming studio. While the house serves as a cozy abode for the family, the studio doubles as a workspace for the architect and a venue for artistic and educational activities.

Taking full advantage of the natural topography, the buildings were strategically positioned on opposite sides of the hill, thoughtfully separated by 120 meters. By adapting to the existing landscape, the structures were gently elevated above the ground to prevent the intrusion of local wildlife, minimize land disturbance, and preserve the surrounding trees and vegetation that grace the site. The two buildings are interconnected by a system of stairs and ramps, facilitating seamless movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The construction of the Palicourea House employed an innovative approach, combining local labor and traditional building materials with a lightweight structure made of sustainably sourced glued laminated wood (Glulam). Prefabricated off-site, the wooden roof was seamlessly integrated with the concrete and brick core, resulting in a structural marvel that embodies both strength and aesthetic elegance. This method allowed for parallel construction work, maximizing efficiency and reducing time.

Within both buildings, specific areas such as bedrooms, home offices, and bathrooms were conceived as extended stay zones, characterized by solid concrete slabs. These slabs create an "air mattress" space between them and the wooden roof, fostering natural ventilation and promoting thermal comfort. Furthermore, the social living spaces, including the house's living room and the studio's lounge, feature expansive glazed areas, sliding window frames, bug screens, and wooden sliding louvres, ensuring constant airflow and abundant natural light. In these spaces, the wooden roof seamlessly integrates with the interior, forming an architectural harmony.

The Palicourea House stands as an exemplar of sustainable housing design, blending harmoniously with the unique Cerrado environment while providing comfortable living spaces. Its thoughtful approach to construction, preservation of biodiversity, and seamless integration with nature showcase a new paradigm for inhabiting the region. By prioritizing sustainability, this architectural gem epitomizes a responsible and conscious way of coexisting with the environment.

As the Palicourea House gracefully marries design excellence, environmental preservation, and sustainable living practices, it undoubtedly becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for future architectural endeavours, both within Brazil and beyond.

Keywords: Palicourea House, sustainable housing, Cerrado biome, Alto Paraíso de Goiás, environmental preservation, architectural design, biodiverse savanna, sustainable coexistence, glued laminated wood, natural ventilation, thermal comfort.

Brixen, known for its breathtaking landscapes and commitment to sustainability, now boasts a remarkable housing project that showcases ingenious design solutions and eco-friendly features. Spearheaded by acclaimed architect Carlena Mezzalira Pentimalli, this residential development sets new standards in energy efficiency and environmental consciousness.

At the heart of these houses lie photovoltaic energy systems, representing a hybrid "E.S.S." (Energy Storage System) concept. This cutting-edge system functions both as an "off-grid" solution and as a connection to the main power supply network. By harnessing solar energy and storing it in batteries, the excess power generated can be seamlessly returned to the network, ensuring optimal utilization and minimizing wastage.

One striking feature of these houses is the elegantly sloping roofs, which harmoniously follow the natural topography of the hillside. Adorned with rainwater-collecting gutters, these roofs play a vital role in sustainability efforts. The collected rainwater undergoes filtration and is stored in small tanks strategically positioned at the lowest points of the site. Powered by photovoltaic energy, pumps periodically transfer this water to a central reservoir at the highest elevation, boasting an impressive storage capacity of 40,000 litres. This innovative approach aims to reduce reliance on the public water supply, particularly during the arid dry season that characterizes the region's dominant Cerrado climate.

Paying meticulous attention to waste management, Pentimalli's design incorporates underground eco-stubs for processing and treating sewage from sanitary basins and kitchen sinks. This sustainable solution ensures that wastewater is effectively treated before being directed to soil infiltration tanks, minimizing the project's environmental impact and fostering a harmonious coexistence with nature.

An engineering marvel, the Glulam roofs demonstrate Pentimalli's unwavering commitment to marrying functionality with aesthetics. These roofs, designed to not directly touch the concrete and masonry core of the buildings, necessitated a meticulous approach to structural stability. Triangular bases serve as the foundation, providing stability in multiple directions. Additionally, these bases also serve a dual purpose, collecting rainwater runoff from the gutters, further contributing to the sustainability ethos embedded in every aspect of this housing project. Furthermore, each of the 16 wooden pillars supporting the two buildings showcases unique lengths, harmoniously adapting to the natural stretches of the topography where the house and studio were constructed.

Carlena Mezzalira Pentimalli's visionary approach to residential architecture has resulted in an extraordinary housing project that seamlessly blends sustainability, energy efficiency, and elegant design. By incorporating a hybrid energy system, rainwater collection and storage, as well as eco-friendly waste management, this development exemplifies the future of responsible and environmentally conscious housing. The Brixen community is poised to reap the benefits of these pioneering concepts, setting an inspiring example for future architectural endeavors.