Bahia House

Architect: Studio mk27 / (Mario Kogan and Suzana Glogowski)

Location: Salvador, Brazil

Photography: Nelson Kon

The building is laid out around a central patio to maximize natural ventilation and keep the interior cool in hot weather. The whole house is designed to ward off high temperatures and excessive sunlight, and to that end, the architects used traditional Brazilian techniques involving clay roofs and wooden ceilings. Bahian houses use the northeast wind blowing in from the sea to cool the entire house.

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The small holes of the latticed wooden panels separate the spaces to let air but not light through and lessen the strength of the wind. They also provide privacy.

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A rug is a good addition to any space because it adds a risk-free splash of color. These are indoor rugs, but there are others specially designed for terraces.