Brasil, Architectural Stays, Design, Architecture
Arca isn’t just a structure in the forest — it’s a structure of the forest. Designed by Atelier Marko Brajovic, this luminous, arched pavilion of Galvalume metal rests beside the Perequê waterfall, surrounded by dense Atlantic rainforest near Paraty, Brazil. It isn’t framed as a “getaway,” but rather as a gesture of coexistence — a self-contained shell that breathes with the land.
The Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest), one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, has been reduced to fragments over centuries of urban expansion. What remains is lush, untamed, and fragile — and Arca exists within this living biome not as an object, but as a listener. Its self-supporting structure, assembled in just one week without foundations, can be relocated without scarring the land.
Following tropical architectural logic, Arca was built top-down — the roof first, then the rest emerging beneath it. Its interior wasn’t drawn in advance. Instead, wind direction, sunlight, and the shape of the view determined how the space would be used. Local craftsmen laid out walls with silver tape directly on the wooden floor — no fixed blueprints, only intention.
At first glance, it looks like a shelter. But Arca is also a studio, a retreat, a creative container. It can host two couples with children and was conceived with a dual purpose: rest and creation. It features a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and an open-plan space that transforms effortlessly — beds become sofas, sleeping rooms turn into production rooms. The layout allows for workshops, artistic residencies, or immersive trainings surrounded by rainforest and waterfall sounds.
Nightly rate: €185.89
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Sleeps: up to 6 guests
Booking link: airbnb.pt/rooms/6823091
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🧭 Paraty — a colonial jewel with emerald waters
Just 10 kilometers from Arca, the historic town of Paraty offers a cultural pulse that complements the stillness of the forest. A UNESCO-protected coastal village with whitewashed façades, cobbled streets, and baroque churches, Paraty is also a hub for contemporary art, literature, and film.
Tucked between verdant mountains and emerald-toned beaches, Paraty is part of Brazil’s Costa Carioca — a coastline dotted with secluded islands, mangroves, and golden afternoon light.
Despite its raw beauty, it’s surprisingly accessible:
- 🛣️ 248 km from Rio de Janeiro (approx. 4h30 by car)
- 🛣️ 295 km from São Paulo (approx. 5h30 by car)
Far enough to feel like a retreat. Close enough for a long weekend.
#ArcaHouse #ParatyBrazil #CreativeRetreat #BiophilicDesign #ArchitectureThatMoves #CuratedEyes #HiddenBrazil #CostaVerde #DesignForNature
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