01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré

  • Project: 01 TVN House
  • Architect: Saraiva + Associados
  • Location: Brazil, Itacaré
  • Year: 2023
  • Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Architecture Rooted in Nature

Set within the lush tropical forests of Itacaré, Bahia, 01 TVN House (Casa 01) by Saraiva e Associados is a residence designed to disappear into the landscape. Guided by strict environmental restrictions and condominium regulations, the architects minimized site intervention, embedding the structure within the slope while opening every ensuite bedroom to uninterrupted sea views.

The concept was not to dominate the setting but to blend into it, creating a dwelling that feels like a natural extension of the forest canopy. Privacy and harmony with the environment became the driving forces of the design.

Structural Ingenuity in a Demanding Environment

Building on Itacaré’s rugged coastal terrain required advanced technical strategies.

  • Reinforced foundations to anchor the house securely on sloped ground.

  • Drainage and impermeable barriers to combat heavy rains and humidity.

  • Protective construction techniques designed for durability in Brazil’s aggressive coastal climate.

This rigor in construction ensures the residence is not only aesthetically refined but also engineered for resilience.

Material Palette: Minimalist and Resilient

Saraiva e Associados selected materials that balance contemporary elegance with environmental performance:

  • Ultracompact surfaces for long-lasting durability.

  • Minimal lining to reduce visual clutter.

  • Quartzite stone, chosen for its resistance to heat, salt, and moisture.

This minimalist palette creates a calm, tactile environment that resonates with the natural setting while withstanding tropical conditions.

Complementary Architectural Elements

Beyond the main residence, two distinct architectural features expand the project’s scope:

Orchid Botanical Garden

A prefabricated laminated pinewood prism, designed to house an orchid collection of more than 1,500 plants. This greenhouse doubles as a botanical archive and decorative resource, seamlessly integrating botany and architecture.

Bamboo & Rattan Beach Bar

Commissioned through S+A Vietnam, the organic, curved structure was crafted from bamboo and rattan and assembled on-site by a specialist team. Light, flexible, and deeply tied to coastal leisure culture, the beach bar provides a striking contrast to the rectilinear main residence.

Family, Privacy, and Togetherness

Casa 01 was designed for a large, multigenerational family who value both intimacy and collective gathering. The layout carefully balances:

  • Private zones for retreat and rest.

  • Shared spaces for family interaction.

  • Outdoor extensions that foster togetherness while maintaining seclusion from the outside world.

This duality makes 01 TVN House both a private refuge and a social hub, aligned with the family’s lifestyle.

A Model for Contemporary Brazilian Coastal Living

01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados demonstrates how architecture can merge with nature without compromising modern comfort. From its panoramic sea views and carefully chosen materials to the orchid garden and bamboo beach bar, the project is a masterclass in tropical residential design.

It stands as a model for sustainable luxury in Brazil, balancing environmental respect, technical resilience, and cultural identity.

01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Contemporary luxury house with modern architecture situated in a tropical landscape near the ocean with lush greenery and palm trees.
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
01 TVN House by Saraiva e Associados: A Tropical Forest Hideaway in Brazil’s Itacaré
Photography © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Posted by Saraiva + Associados

Saraiva + Associados (S+A) is a Lisbon-based architecture and design firm founded in 1996 by Miguel Saraiva. From its base in Portugal, S+A has expanded globally with offices around the world, yet remains rooted in architect-led design and local sensitivity. The studio works across typologies — residential, public, urban, hospitality, refurbishment — combining conceptual rigor, technical precision, and a commitment to sustainability and comfort. Their holistic practice blends architecture, urban planning, design, and consulting to deliver projects that respond meaningfully to context, user needs, and long-term value.