Accessible Circular Residence Features Spiral Ramp System

efcarquitetura has completed the Casa Circular, a distinctive residential project in Indaiatuba, Brazil, designed with a primary focus on accessibility for its owners. The architectural brief specifically requested a home without stairs or elevators, alongside the inclusion of a rooftop garden.

Innovative Circulation

The core challenge of the Casa Circular project was to create a seamless and natural connection between the property’s different levels without compromising the overall architectural lightness. The solution implemented by efcarquitetura is a spiral ramp system that elegantly wraps around the entire building. This continuous pathway guides residents through the home’s four distinct levels, starting from the basement, which houses a garage, office, and laundry facilities, and ascending to the main living areas, including the lounge, kitchen, leisure space, and suites. The journey culminates at the rooftop garden and a viewing deck.

Architectural and Material Choices

A notable feature of the Casa Circular is the custom-designed metallic brise that encloses the ramp system. This element forms a translucent skin, offering protection to the external circulation while simultaneously defining the project’s visual identity. In front of the living room, the brise can be automated to open in a petal-like fashion, allowing for adjustable integration between interior and exterior spaces depending on solar exposure.

The spatial organization is geared towards promoting visual continuity, social integration, and environmental comfort. The kitchen is positioned as a central hub, connecting the living room, leisure area, and swimming pool. It is oriented towards the surrounding vegetation, boasting double-height ceilings, cross-ventilation, and skylight illumination. High windows are incorporated to facilitate the expulsion of hot air through the chimney effect, ensuring passive thermal comfort.

Sustainability and Design Philosophy

The design prioritizes passive strategies for thermal comfort, leveraging natural ventilation and light. The integration of a rooftop garden addresses the owners’ desire for green space and potentially a vegetable garden, contributing to a more sustainable urban living experience. The circular form itself can often offer advantages in terms of material efficiency and structural integrity.

Key facts

The Casa Circular represents a thoughtful approach to inclusive design, demonstrating how architectural innovation can meet specific user needs while enhancing the living environment. For readers interested in innovative residential projects, accessible design solutions, and contemporary Brazilian architecture, this project offers valuable insights into how form and function can be harmoniously integrated.

Source: ArchDaily, https://www.archdaily.com/1041947/casa-circular-efcarquitetura