Cabaña del Lago: A Modern Retreat in Brazil by Matéria Base

Matéria Base has completed Cabaña del Lago, a 120-square-meter temporary cabin in Brazil, designed for agricultural work and inspired by Henry David Thoreau's Walden. The project, curated by Susanna Moreira, prioritizes thermal comfort, simple technologies, and local craftsmanship. Built on a small plateau near an old cattle watering hole along a historic coffee transport trail, the cabin serves as a retreat for a small family. The structure was executed by Matéria Base with local workers led by Mestre Hebert Brasil. Structural engineering was handled by Ramon Ayoroa and Geraldo Filizola, while environmental sustainability consulting was provided by Fernanda Petrus, Manuel Meyer, and Fluxus Design Ecológico. Hydraulic installations were done by Amaru, and landscaping by Matéria Base and Vinicius Almedeia. The project was completed in 2023 and photographed by Federico Cairoli.