This article is part of our new "Material Focus" series, which asks architects to elaborate on the thought process behind their material choices and sheds light on the steps required to get buildings actually built.

© Marcelo Donadussi

This article is part of our new "Material Focus" series, which asks architects to elaborate on the thought process behind their material choices and sheds light on the steps required to get buildings actually built.The Enseada House project was developed by the Porto Alegre office of National Architecture in 2015 and is 317 square meters with an interesting interplay between volume and materials. We talked with the architect Paula Otto, one of the designers to learn more about the material choices used in this project and the role that these choices played in the design concept.
© Marcelo Donadussi

What are the main materials you used for this project"PO: Concrete, wood, stone (marble) and glass. In addition to those, we used some vegetation incorporated into the facade.

© Marcelo Donadussi

What were your main sources of inspiration and influence when choosing the materials used in the project"PO: This basic combination of concrete and wood is very classic since they contrast and complement one another cooler and warmer. The use of vegetation on the facade is something that fits the pr...