Earth House / TAY Arquitetura Ecológica

Architects: TAY Arquitetura Ecológica
Area: 420 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Maurício Araújo
Manufacturers: Atlas, CBI Madeiras , Lajes Plan, Loja fornecedora, Luminárias, Lunard Demolições, Portobello, Projecta
Author: Taynara Ferro
Construction: Taynara Ferro
Landscape Design: Filipe Hecht
Quantity Surveyor: Jorge Henrique Machado
Construction Work: Manoel
Engineering: Fx Patologia Engenharia – Fabricio Gonzales de Rezende
Structural Engineer: Eng. Neidival
Installations: Jesus Filho
City: Brasília
Country: Brazil

Earth House (Casa Terra), designed by TAY Arquitetura Ecológica, is located in Brasília’s Solar da Serra rural condominium and serves as the architect’s personal residence. The home emphasizes sustainable techniques, with 50% of its walls constructed from rammed earth using local soils in various hues, forming a natural gradient that enhances thermal and acoustic comfort. Built on a slope, it utilizes a suspended structure to reduce land impact, directing rainwater flow naturally. Water systems include rainwater collection, gray water reuse, and blackwater treatment through an evapotranspiration basin. Sunlight is maximized through skylights and large windows, while solar energy warms household water and the pool. Cross ventilation naturally cools the home, supported by additional sustainable features like earth paint, reclaimed materials, and certified reforestation wood, creating an eco-friendly yet comfortable living space.

Earth House (Casa Terra) sits at the base of a hill in the closed Solar da Serra rural condominium, about 20 km from Brasília’s National Congress in Plano Piloto. Designed as the residence of its architect, her husband, a landscaper, and their two children, the project served as a practical exercise in ecological and sustainable building techniques. From initial concept to construction, each stage focused on minimizing environmental impact, reflecting the architect’s commitment to environmentally responsible design in her professional projects.

To achieve a natural aesthetic using regional earth resources, the decision was made to construct the house walls with rammed earth, an ancient technique now seeing renewed popularity. Leveraging the variety of soils available locally, 50% of the home’s walls were built with rammed earth in shades of yellow, red, and purple, creating a subtle gradient effect. Beyond visual warmth, this material choice provides thermal and acoustic insulation while reducing carbon emissions, resulting in a more sustainable and less polluting construction process.

The house’s location provides expansive views of the surrounding mountains, particularly from the highest point, despite the challenges of building on a steep slope. To address this, the architect employed a suspended structure that minimized earth movement and preserved the natural rainwater flow. Rainwater is collected from the slightly sloped roof slab and stored for reuse in the garden and outdoor areas. Furthermore, gray water from the washing machine and showers is repurposed, while blackwater from toilets is processed through an evapotranspiration basin.

The Earth House integrates natural resources like sunlight and wind to enhance sustainability. Skylights and large windows provide abundant daylight, reducing artificial lighting needs until dusk, while solar energy heats water for the bathrooms, kitchen, and pool. Cross-ventilation maintains a comfortable indoor climate. Other eco-friendly techniques include earth-based paint, certified reforestation wood, and reclaimed materials from demolition. Together, these elements create a low-impact home that prioritizes functionality, practicality, aesthetics, and comfort for its residents.