In the Buffalo Valley, architect Bianca Vilela designed a 110 m² residence inspired by the sculptor and ceramist Calá.
Casa Buri, a project by architect Bianca Vilela, stems from a construction philosophy she defines as "Greco-Bahian"—a style characteristic of Trancoso that combines structural masonry with regional craftsmanship, light-toned walls, and irregular texture, the result of what is called Bahian plaster. The technique consists of the manual application of mortar with a deliberately irregular and porous finish, giving the surfaces a rustic and organic appearance, very different from the smooth industrial finish.
Bianca adopted this language as a cultural rescue: she feels that the style is being lost in the region and wanted to make it the guiding thread of the project. The earthy color palette, inspired by mud—the raw material of her ceramic brand Lamacota—runs across all the walls of the house.
The central reference for this approach came from the sculptor and ceramist Calá, a resident of Trancoso for over 40 years and a renowned figure for his artisanal work in the region. Inspired by him, Bianca oversaw the entire execution of Casa Buri using local labor: from carpentry to ceramics, each element was made by artisans from Trancoso.
The forms follow an organic and rounded geometry: curved baseboards, elongated light fixtures, a concrete bookcase with curved niches inspired by the CIEPs designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Window frames and decorative elements were sourced from the interior of Bahia; art objects and unique pieces complete the visual repertoire of the house.
The dwelling occupies a plot of approximately 4,000 m². To preserve the native vegetation without deforestation, the floor plan was developed in an "L" shape, adapting to the topography and existing trees. With 110 m² of constructed area, the program includes a spacious suite with walls and floors in shades of pink, an integrated living room and kitchen, an outdoor dining area, and a terrace facing the sunset among the trees.
Outside, a native garden, an organic vegetable garden, a chicken coop, a fire pit, and a hot tub positioned amidst the vegetation complete the ensemble. The house's name is a triple tribute: to the buriti palm, a palm tree native to the Goiás Cerrado region where Bianca is from; to the beach buri palm found on the property; and to the amberjack fish, called "buri" in Japanese, a figure that reappears on the doorknobs and ceramics scattered throughout the house.
For Bianca, the project had a meaning that goes beyond the professional. "It came as a transition for me, as a professional and as a woman. I think I changed along with the house as it was being built."
