The Leaf House was designed by Mareines and Patalano Arquitetura and is located near Rio de Janeiro on a beautiful little beach with breathtaking blue water. The design is inspired by the Indian architecture of Brazil, which is perfect for the hot and humid climate. The roof, which is reminiscent of a flower, looks like a large leaf that protects all closed rooms in the house from the sun. The house is perfect for social gatherings and parties due to its comfortable verandas and open spaces between the rooms. The open layout also takes advantage of trade winds blowing in from the sea, providing natural ventilation and passive cooling. There are no corridors and the inside and outside are almost merged. Rainwater is collected from the roof for reuse. With its natural surfaces, its organic aesthetics and its wealth of detail, the house harmonizes with the lush Brazilian nature. It’s a cool example of how tropical beach house can connect with nature. [Mareines and Patalano Arquitetura | Photos by Leonardo Finotti & Pedro Lobo]