Laurent Troost Architectures and Hana Eto Gall Unveil Casa Pupunha in Manaus

In the western zone of Manaus, Brazil, a newly completed residential project is offering a fresh perspective on how modern architecture can peacefully coexist with fragile tropical ecosystems. Designed by Laurent Troost Architectures in close collaboration with landscape designer Hana Eto Gall, Casa Pupunha—or Pupunha House—stands as a testament to deliberate, low-impact spatial planning. Situated directly adjacent to a permanent environmental protection area, the project was guided by a core premise from its earliest conception: to preserve the existing greenery on the plot while delivering a compact, highly efficient home tailored to the realities of the Amazonian climate.

The residence takes its name from a defining feature of the property. At the exact center of the residential lot sits a mature pupunha palm. Rather than clearing the land to maximize buildable space or remove construction hurdles, the design team anchored the entire architectural layout around this single tree. The preserved palm remains untouched, piercing through the spatial narrative of the house and serving as a living focal point. Around this central anchor, additional native vegetation has been thoughtfully curated and integrated, turning the surrounding landscape into an active participant rather than a mere decorative backdrop.

The landscaping, crafted by Hana Eto Gall, establishes an immediate and continuous dialogue with the surrounding Amazonian context. Instead of imposing an artificial garden onto the site, Gall worked alongside the architectural team to blur the boundaries between the built environment and the dense foliage bordering the condominium. The resulting landscape strategy ensures that the residence is deeply enmeshed in greenery, utilizing native plant species that reinforce the ecological continuity between the private lot and the neighboring protected forest.

From an architectural standpoint, Laurent Troost Architectures approached the commission with an emphasis on compactness and functional efficiency. In a region marked by intense solar radiation and heavy tropical rainfall, spatial compactness is not just an aesthetic choice, but a climate-responsive strategy. By reducing the overall footprint of the home, the architects minimized land disruption while maximizing the efficiency of internal circulations and thermal performance. The layout prioritizes openness and fluid transitions, allowing interior spaces to bleed out into covered verandas and shaded wooden decks. These transitional zones mediate between the air-conditioned interior zones and the humid outdoor climate, offering residents comfortable spaces to inhabit the outdoors regardless of sudden weather shifts.

The material palette chosen for Casa Pupunha reflects a sensitivity to both structural longevity and regional vernacular. Exposed concrete, structural framing, and extensive applications of warm wood create a harmonious visual balance against the verdant greens of the surrounding foliage. Wood features prominently in the flooring, balustrades, and structural detailing, infusing the interiors with a tactile warmth that counters the raw industrial feel of concrete elements. Staircases and balconies are crafted to maintain visual transparency, allowing natural light to filter deep into the heart of the residence and casting dynamic shadows throughout the day.

Curated by Susanna Moreira, the project adds to a growing body of work in northern Brazil that challenges conventional suburban development models. While many gated communities in the region rely on standard suburban templates that ignore local environmental characteristics, Casa Pupunha demonstrates that modern residential architecture can adapt to its ecological context without sacrificing contemporary comforts. The collaboration between Laurent Troost Architectures and Hana Eto Gall highlights how careful site analysis, preservation of mature vegetation, and climate-conscious design can yield a home that respects the complex ecosystem of the Amazon basin.