Arca was named by the locals when its structure emerged in a forest as a ship. Located on a border of the Serra da Bocaina National Park, close to the city of Paraty in Rio de Janeiro State, the earthship project is inspired by a wish to mimic a specific type of Brazilian indigenous house of the Asurini People, Médio Xingu.

The house was built from top down, as tropical architecture suggests; the roof was set up first and then the rest of the house was built under it.  

We decided to use a shell, or a self- supporting structure that provides roofing, side walls and finishes. The ultra-light Galvalume (carbon steel + aluminium + zinc) modules were assembled on site in only one week and can be easily disassembled and rebuilt on a new location.

After the shelter was built, the wooden deck was installed and then we conceived the interior of the house. With those functional parameters completed, taking into a account environmental inputs, such as wind, sunlight and views, we de ned the orientation and the final interior design.

Local craftsmen built partitions along the silver tape marks we use to delimit the space, without a previous project. This kind of unconventional design process allows a customized a posteriori interior design based on a living simulation.

Commissioned by: Aldeia Global

Format: House

Job description: architecture, interior design and set-up coordination 

Project team

Author: Atelier Marko Brajovic 

Creative Director: Marko Brajovic Project

Project Director: Bruno Bezerra

Assistant Architect: Lucas de Sordi

Production team: Atelier Marko Brajovic

Manufacture & set up: Expobrax, Lindomar Princisval