In the heart of Paraty lies a sanctuary inspired by the delicate dance of nature and the fluid movement of avian beings. AYURU, named after a bird in the Tupi-Guarani language, stands as a testament to the ethos of arriving and settling gently within the embrace of ecological relationships. Crafted by Atelier Marko Brajovic, this forest temple embodies a harmonious union between architecture and the natural world.
(Photo: Eduardo Ohara Junior)
Design and Integration
Standing tall at 8 meters with an external diameter of 16 meters, AYURU offers a versatile space conducive to many events and practices. Two squares adorn its east and west sides, extending the possibilities of use while seamlessly integrating amenities such as parking spaces, bathrooms, storage, and a support kitchen. Stone paths intricately weave through the landscape, providing access to the entire complex and blurring the boundaries between built and natural environments. Cloaked in hues reminiscent of the Atlantic Forest, AYURU effortlessly melds with its surroundings, becoming a symbiotic extension of the lush landscape.
(Photo: Eduardo Ohara Junior)
Structural Ingenuity
At the core of AYURU lies a structural system inspired by the time-honored typology of ancestral indigenous architecture. Crafted entirely from the Guadua Angustifolia species bamboo, the temple boasts 16 pillars, each spanning an impressive 11 meters and a dense network of transverse beams. An iron ring at the structure's center acts as a nexus, distributing forces radially and allowing for natural light and ventilation. The roof, adorned with ceramic tiles glazed in high-temperature ovens, bears a distinctive blue-green hue reminiscent of the ever-changing colors of bird wings. This chromatic symphony, a result of meticulous experimentation, lends AYURU an ethereal quality, transforming with the ebb and flow of natural light.
Drawing further inspiration from avian aesthetics, the interior of AYURU is organized around a central area adorned with a soil-cement floor crafted from local clay. The eucalyptus from Cunha Cerrado is used as deck flooring on the house's inner side, and the same bamboo taken from the Mambucaba region is used on the outer side of the house. AYURU owns a label that aims explicitly at sustainability and locality, demonstrating the aesthetic quality and durability of the resident materials.
AYURU is an architectural site and a forest temple of Campo Adeia Rizoma covered with a green Parati costume. The nature immersion at AYURU manifests as part of a larger project, which includes ecological accommodations and wellness programs. Thus, it provides an interface to the visitors, allowing them to sink deep in the serenity of nature and reach out for a higher connection with their surroundings.
AYURU at Studio Marko Brajovic has done this by intertwining the traditions of the past, innovation, and sustainable environment protection to create a unique home for the spirit of place. With every step visitors take down its sanctified passages, they travel on a journey of self-introspection and oneness. The quiet words of the forest combined with the time-immemorial wisdom of Indigenous design serve as their guideposts.