Gutter House by Atelier Daniel Florez – Coastal Brazilian Beach Houses

Gutter House is a unique architectural project comprising two paired beach houses designed for friends in the picturesque fishing village of Sagi, one of the closest South American points to Europe. Steeped in history, this coastal region has been shaped by centuries of Portuguese maritime influence, where sailors and shipbuilders once held the knowledge to construct grand baroque cathedrals in cities like Olinda.

Historical Inspiration and Concept

The project poetically honors the legacy of shipbuilders-turned-architects, merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Drawing inspiration from the region’s maritime past, Gutter House evokes the sensuality of the ocean and the mystery of coastal landscapes through silent geometry and sculptural forms.

Design and Architectural Features

The homes integrate into the urban fabric of Sagi’s ceramic-tiled houses, presenting two amphibious wooden waves that mirror the dunes and coastal terrain. These curved wooden forms channel water from the roof into a 22-meter-long concrete gutter covered in blue ceramic tiles, irrigating rear garden plants while providing protection from the intense evening sun.

Conceptually, the houses resemble inverted ships, with laminated wood ribs fixed to a concrete gutter that remains visible inside the interiors. The design features a mantle of curved wooden and bamboo beams, circular windows, sculpted pillars reminiscent of ship masts, and flooring inspired by fishing scale patterns. The blue accents and wooden tiles reinforce the connection to the ocean and honor the craft of the region’s historic sailor-architects.

Sustainability and Ecological Sensitivity

Gutter House employs double façades and double roofs to minimize ecological impact while integrating seamlessly with the natural landscape. The project balances aesthetic elegance with functional sustainability, creating spaces that are both intimate and connected to their coastal environment.

Gutter House stands as a modern homage to Brazil’s maritime heritage, blending history, craftsmanship, and ecological design in a singular coastal experience.

All Photographs are works of Maira Acayaba, Juan Gomez