LIVING AMONG THE DUNES AND THE SEA

The project involves the construction of a tourist complex with 50 middle-small residential units (70 square meters) in a very privileged position: the white dunes of Genipabu, near Natal, the state capital of Rio Grande do Norte, in Brazil. Facing an extraordinary natural panorama, full of natural charm, the project proposal is designed to catch all the features of this paradise on earth; natural light, views of the dunes and the ocean, the breeze, as well as the chromatic components of the landscape. The structure is placed on the tip of a plateau on the border between the village and the beginning of the dunes, over the last building plot before the endless mountains of sand. The complex, characterized by empty and full spaces, opens to the outside through a series of large windowed walls with wood shading plates, like eyes on the landscape. Even the coating of the building respect the context; made with a very clear local sand-coloured stone, it has a rough surface that triggers a play of shadows and light aimed at making the surface vibrant.

In the core of the building there are two large gardens, both ring-shaped, that overlook the service routes and, protected by a strip of wooden slats, they allow the access to the individual units (designed to also become duplex apartments). The two green oasis help to create a natural microclimate that favour ventilation in a highly humid environment.

Customer: GENIPABU l.t.d.
Place: Park of the Dunes of Genipabu, Natal, Brazil
Type: residential-tourist
Surface: 4,000 square meters (lot area), 4,100 square meters (built area)
Status: concept, 2011