architecture 4 us

Green Home Design of Bahia House by Marcio Kogan

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:02 AM PST

Bahia House is a house in Salvador Brazil, that was designed using green home design concept by Marcio Kogan. The basic concept used for this green design was described in the floor plan organization and use of materials.

To make an eco friendly living, the using of green technology gadgets are not a must. Traditional concepts, sometimes can provide better green home plans. Like this house, the designer adopted the traditional Brazilian architecture concept, without using architectural design software, no calculations were made. The green design processes really considered the nature of the house, including its location, the materials, also the surrounding climate, to create a green home building.

This house was surprisingly designed to stay cool even in 40 deg Celsius temperature, by the use of several green materials and constructions. Clay tiles are used as green roofing materials. This aspect is also supported by the large overhanging roof, completed with wooden ceilings. Besides protecting the house from the hot Brazilian sun, this condition can provide a good air circulation through the interior.

This house can be said as a semi-open house. To cover the openings, Wooden Mashrabiya screens are used. This screens can be opened to provide better ventilation and natural lighting. The using of this screens is influenced by Arabic architecture. The using of wood materials also can provide moisture absorption, cooling the air passed through the interior. The positioning also provides a good air circulation as it takes advantaged from the sea breezes.

This house is also completed by 5 bedrooms designed as a square with an interior courtyard. There is a pool that also supports the house of having a cool environment. Some mango trees provides additional shades, protecting the house from sunlight.

By all of these concepts, Bahian House can be one of green built homes without any modern technology equipments involved.