Brazilian House Harnesses Natural Materials and Smart Design

You don't need high-tech energy monitoring systems, solar panels, or a ground source heat pump to have a green home. Sometimes all you need is smart design, <a title="" href="http://inhabitat.com/the-crib-prefab-inspired-by-traditional-american-corn-cribs/" target="_blank">traditional architecture</a>, knowledge of your climate and access to natural and locally available materials. That's what <a href="http://www.marciokogan.com.br/" target="_blank">Marcio Kogan of Studio MK27</a> utilized when he designed the Bahia House in Salvador, Brazil, which stays cool even in 40 degree Celsius weather. The beautiful Brazilian house makes use of clay roofs, an open floor plan, natural ventilation, and wooden <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashrabiya" target="_blank">Mashrabiya</a> screens.

This home is based on traditional Brazilian architecture.

This Bahian house in Salvador is a five-bedroom home designed as a square with an interior courtyard.

Large overhangs coupled with wooden Mashrabiya screens provide shady protection from the hot Brazilian sun.

The shades can be opened and closed around the house, allowing the residents to control exposure to sunlight and cool air.

Mashrabiyas were originally brought over to Brazil from Portugal, which was heavily influenced by Arabic architecture

These screens protect the interior from the sun while allowing air to pass through, and the wood absorbs some moisture which helps cool the air as it flows into the house.

Large overhanging roofs with clay tiles and wooden ceilings provide ample shade to the large open living spaces.

A long reflecting pool in the courtyard helps cool the air even more to create a microclimate for the home.

The Bahian home is oriented to take advantage of the sea breezes and the living spaces are placed to receive those breezes first.

Marcio Kogan and his team utilized on traditional architecture and building techniques to design and build this house rather than on high tech green design.

The home does not have air conditioning or ventilation systems -- it relies solely on passive solar design and natural ventilation.

While high-tech green design, and energy smart monitoring are important for many climates, sometimes these systems are not necessary.

Traditional architecture can often provide us with most of the design features we need to build a naturally eco-friendly home.