Casa Cajuí - Laurent Troost Architectures

BrazilResidentialLaurent Troost Architectures

Jan 9

Designed by Laurent Troost Architectures, Casa Cajuí emerges from a precise reading of the natural slope and the dense forest that surrounds the site. Located in Manaus, Brazil, the residence was conceived as an organism permeable to the equatorial climate, preserving the original topography and strengthening the dialogue between architecture, ventilation, and landscape. The original photography is from Susan Valentim.

Quoted from Laurent Troost Architectures. The shape of the house was defined by the natural preexistences and allowed for the exploration of a different typology, as the intimate block and offices are in the foreground, close to the street, while the social block is at the back of the lot, slightly elevated to function as a lookout over the green area at the back, while the covered outdoor living space becomes the central space of the house.

This spatial organization helps blur the boundaries between internal and external spaces, promoting a kind of outdoor living experience.

To make the most of the winds and the sun, the roof was designed as a large inclined concrete plane that follows the shape of the house. This inclined space has become a spot for residents to stargaze or enjoy the house in a unique way.

Furthermore, the project incorporates principles of passive sustainability, such as a system for capturing, storing, and reusing rainwater, ensuring optimal environmental performance while preserving the forest.

At dusk, the concrete reveals texture and movement as lighting runs along the asymmetrical eave, highlighting the geometry of the roof. Casa Cajuí combines minimal intervention, climatic performance, and a sensitive integration with the Amazonian environment — an architecture that orchestrates light, air, and matter in continuous interplay.