Set within the vibrant landscape of Uberlândia, Brazil, Casa Una is a bold intersection of architecture, sustainability, and community life. Designed by MDAD Arquitetura e Design with interiors by TODOS Arquitetura, Casa Una anchors Parque Una as a flexible, open-hearted hub for cultural events, civic engagement, and everyday connection.
The architecture is defined by a sweeping curved glulam timber roof, a striking feature that extends beyond the building to form shaded, open-air zones. This element isn’t just visually iconic—it’s part of the project’s deep environmental intelligence. The entire structure embraces passive design strategies, from natural cross ventilation to thermal comfort via material choices. The roof’s generous overhangs reduce solar gain, while the use of timber itself—renewable and locally sourced—lowers the project’s carbon footprint.
Sustainability flows through every detail, not just in its ecological strategies but in the mindset behind them. Interior surfaces favour natural and honest finishes, like exposed wood and mineral render, which blur the line between indoors and out. These tactile materials speak a language of warmth, durability, and openness—a theme that continues in the public-facing layout of the building.
Casa Una doesn’t just serve the neighbourhood, it gathers it. A food area called the comedoria serves fresh meals in a casual, shared atmosphere. The mezzanine overlooks the park’s central lake, while multi-use spaces pivot seamlessly between exhibitions, talks, and workshops. The interiors are designed for spatial flexibility, supporting both spontaneous interactions and programmed events.
From a palette of sustainable materials—including wood from REWOOD, green roofing by Skygarden, and tiles from Portobello and Portinari—to its collaboration with leading engineers and environmental consultants, Casa Una sets the bar for context-sensitive, community-rooted design.
The world has taken notice. The project was a finalist in the “Completed Buildings: Display” category at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore, picked up a Silver Medal from the A’ Design Award, and made the shortlist for the Saint-Gobain Architecture Award in Brazil—all recognizing its synthesis of aesthetics, environmental performance, and public value.
Casa Una stands as a celebration of what happens when architecture becomes a dialogue—between land and culture, sustainability and style, structure and soul.
