Masterplan Marupi

URUÇUCA – BAHIA

Architecture of Cabruca with the experience of the Cacao

Marupi is located in the municipality of Uruçuca/Serra Grande, in one of the main tourist regions of south of Bahia, the Coast do Cacau (Cacau Coast). Near well established urban centers, such as Ilhéus and Itacaré, the site is located in an area with easy access, both for residents of the region through the highways BA-001 and BA-653, and tourist coming from the whole of Brazil through the Jorge Amado Airport, 40km south of the site.

The project area is close to major environmental attractions of Bahia, such as the National Park Boa Nova and the Chapada Diamantina, in addition to being on the border of the Conduru State Park, an Integral Protection Conservation Unit and one of the most important remnants of the Atlantic Forest of the Northeast Coast

Marupi, from the tupi-guarini language, signifies place, “through where”, and path. By extension comes the term marupiara, a place or coming together of happy people.

From the regional vocabulary, cabbruca cocoa is cacao that is produced from agroecological planting. It comes from the term “brucar”, which means to plant in the middle of the forest, without destroying it.

The masterplan developed for Marupi sought to bring the field a diverse set of immersion experiences in the cultural context and landscape of the Costa do Cacau.

Intertwined with the open views towards the Ocean and the native Atlantic Forest vegetation, the proposed activities will be developed in environmental and social balance with the site, creating refuges that blend with natural resources, recognizing the territory and providing the visitor with a simple and sustainable lifestyle.

Like the cacoa tree in the forest, the proposal develops from the architecture of cabruca, which adapts to and is in harmony with the natural environment, providing unique experiences related to culture, gastronomy, well-being, comfort and quality of life, in order to consolidate the development as a refuge for healthy and positive practices.

The site area. measuring approximately 52 ha, houses large areas of preserved Atlantic Forest, in contrast to areas with minimal growth and clearings, which brings an opportunity for new interventions with minimal impact on the natural environment.

From here, we begin with the proposition of a structural module in industrialized wood in order to promote practicality and regularity in the construction and eventual occupation, making the most of this sustainable material and its versatility. The combination of modules, determined by the proposed use of each building, results in visual axes and connections between spaces, including native vegetation as part of the architecture.

The materiality of the volumes combines both industrial (structural models) and local (cladding and roofing) architectural solutions that integrates the architecture into the natural surroundings. Coverings, paths and decks surround the buildings, inviting in native vegetation and providing an experience of immersion into the local landscape and culture, while consolidating and connecting the entire complex.

The program of uses is distributed throughout the area and divided into four categories: Lodging of different types, cultural and commercial equipment, residential and ecotourism. The breaking down of these uses will result in numerous activities, possibly integrated with each other, forming into a network of different experiences of immersion in the local language and culture.

The Tourism/Cultural nucleus encompasses the buildings related with touristic activities in Marupi: the Visitor’s Center, which includes a shop, café, conference rooms and an information display on the attractions in the complex; the Cacao Experience Pavilion, a space related to visitor education and immersion in local context; the Observation Towers and Zipline; and the Multipurpose Pavilion, with total immersion in the native forest.

In addition, several trails run through the area guaranteeing close contact with nature.

The Boutique Hotel Nucleus is characterized by a luxury accommodation character, connected through several elevated paths. The reception pavilion incudes a restaurant and auditorium; the Leisure Pavilion contains a gym, bar and change rooms linked to the natural pools; and the Well-Being Pavilion, with a spa offering sauna, massages and other therapies.

The Hotel has 22 apartments in three distinct typologies.

The Cabin Nucleus offers a lodging experience with complete immersion in the native forest. There are ten cabins connected by elevators paths and a Support Pavilion.

The Rural Condominium Nucleus has lots of approximately 4.000m2, with buildings that are developed from residential modules of different areas and programs, resulting in typologies that follow the architectonic language of the rest of the project and can be expanded based on demand.