Mirikina House / José Cubilla

Architects: José Cubilla
Area: 220 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Luis Ayala, Federico Cairoli
Collaborators: Ariel Samaniegp, Dahiana Nuñez, Jorge Noreña, Mauricio Rojas Barrail
City: Mariano Roque Alonso
Country: Paraguay

Mirikina House, designed by José Cubilla, is a low-impact home located near the Paraguay River, set within a flood-prone, humid forest near Asunción. Built vertically to minimize its footprint, the house respects the surrounding native flora and fauna. Using natural materials like rammed earth and stone, the structure incorporates elements of water, fire, and air, including an ecological lagoon, outdoor pool, and central hearths across various rooms. Thick rammed earth walls support thermal efficiency, with carefully placed openings for natural light and ventilation, ideal for the subtropical climate. The house’s layout is organized around a central core with staggered half-levels, offering views into the forest and leading to a rooftop terrace that connects residents to the landscape, sky, and stars. Named “Mirikina” after a local monkey that often visited the site, the house fulfills the client’s vision of a peaceful retreat closely attuned to nature.

A low-impact home located on the outskirts of Asunción, near the Paraguay River, Mirikina House is carefully designed with minimal environmental footprint. Considering the biophysical characteristics of its setting—a low, humid, and flood-prone native forest—it was essential to adopt a construction approach that integrates harmoniously with the landscape while occupying the smallest possible footprint.

The architect oriented the house vertically, forming an “island” within the forest and on this particular soil, carefully preserving the native flora and fauna of the site. Designed to capture the natural energy of the surroundings, the house incorporates materials in their raw forms, such as earth and stone, for a harmonious integration. Water is represented in the central column, the ecological lagoon, and the outdoor pool, while fire serves as a unifying element in various hearths across the home’s levels, including the yoga room, social lounge, and main bedroom.

The construction system for Mirikina House uses rammed earth, or Tapial, rising from a raw stone platform. Built with a simple and austere approach, the house relies on local materials and labor. The aim was to create a sense of harmony in a quiet, natural setting, fostering a deep connection with the surrounding landscape.

Energy Efficiency: Wide walls and carefully placed openings allow for controlled light and ventilation, providing necessary shade in the hot, humid subtropical climate. The Tapial walls contribute to improved thermal inertia and have a minimal construction impact.

Superficial geothermal energy, natural pools to filter gray and black water, and fire as the primary element in the central core are all key aspects of this elemental construction approach. The natural lagoon addresses the site’s poorly absorbent soil, adding to the house’s sustainable integration with its environment.

The house’s layout is arranged vertically around a central core featuring elements of water and fire, connected by staggered half-levels. This spatial organization invites residents to discover the surrounding forest through glimpses of filtered light, subtle aromas, soft murmurs, and the profound silence of nature.

Cross ventilation, fresh air, and natural oxygen flow throughout the vertical design, culminating in an open-air terrace that connects directly with the forest, the horizon, and the stars. These elements align with the client’s vision of the home as a spiritual retreat. Named “Mirikina,” the house honors a local forest primate, a kind and patient “visitor” who often accompanied the construction process, symbolizing harmony with the natural surroundings.