Brazilian Houses: 11 Residences with Muxarabis

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Like the cobogó and the brise-soleil, the muxarabi is an architectural element designed to reduce solar heat gain inside buildings, acting as a “filter” that allows air to circulate freely. Typically made of wooden lattices, muxarabi panels offer the advantage of being lighter and cleaner to install compared to cobogós, for example, since they do not require mortar for assembly.

Of Arabic origin, the muxarabi was introduced to Brazil during the Portuguese colonial period. Although its use declined with the emergence of new technologies for filtering solar radiation, contemporary projects across the country still incorporate this element. 

Here are 11 residential projects that feature muxarabis: