Aguazuis, Almada, Ubatuba/SP - 2004

Aguazuis is located in the Almada neighborhood, 36 kilometers from Ubatuba in the northern region (an area with significant environmental preservation concerns) and 36 kilometers from Paraty, two important coastal cities at the convergence of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states.

 

This small property, spanning 4 alqueires (9 hectares), preserves native plantations such as juçara, bananas, peach palms, a variety of fruits, vegetable gardens, and timber species like mahogany and ipê. All constructions are made using eco-friendly materials that do not harm the environment. The property lies adjacent to the Serra do Mar State Park, part of the Atlantic Forest, the planet's largest longitudinal forest, now reduced to only 7% of its original area.

 

Our site is located at km 13 of the Rio-Santos Highway, between Ubatuba and Paraty, where we have created a hub for construction and landscaping experiments, with numerous interventions already implemented. Acquired in 1974, the property remains a sacred place, dedicated to sustainability. Today, it hosts the Verdever Association and offers scheduled workshops focused on the Art and Culture of Sustainability. We also welcome guests for eco-friendly stays.

 

Our main house is entirely built with rammed earth walls, a pioneering initiative using modules matching the dimensions of plywood sheets (2.44 x 1.22 m), assembled like domino pieces. A remarkable feature of this construction is its cleanliness—once the work is complete, there is no residue to clear up. Unlike cement, which clogs drains, raw earth is clean and non-polluting. The bricks, made from the same earth and dried in the shade, are laid using the same earthen mixture, creating a uniform look throughout the interior. The house provides a pleasant microclimate—warm in winter and cool in summer. In 2003/2004, we trained young people in this construction technique.

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In Ubatuba, we have engaged fishermen in efforts to clean the ocean and beaches, starting with the magnificent Ubatuba coastline, one of the country's most beautiful regions. The Brazil Águas Limpas Project aims to collect all ocean waste and repurpose it in a Sustainable EcoFactory, converting this raw material into new nautical equipment, art, and architecture.

Our ecological sailboat, the Naga 42”, anchored at Saco da Ribeira, is equipped to monitor ocean waste and supports educational projects for schools (via software) as well as awareness-raising installations on beaches (via hardware).