Brazilian mother and daughter built seven-bedroom home from 8,000 glass bottles

In Itamaraca, Brazil, a mother-daughter duo, Edna and Maria Dantas, constructed a unique seven-bedroom home using recycled materials. The 55-year-old Edna, a socio-environmental educator, and her 27-year-old daughter Maria, who works in sustainable fashion, transformed an environmental issue into a creative solution over a period of two years.

The house, known as Casa de Sal (The Salt House), is located on the Brazilian island of Itamaraca. It was built using over 8,000 glass bottles, recycled wood, pallets, and toothpaste tubes. The innovative structure includes glass walls, partitioned rooms made from pallets, and a unique roof constructed from toothpaste tubes.

The glass bottle walls not only provide a distinctive aesthetic, but also serve a functional purpose. As sunlight passes through the bottles, the house illuminates, showcasing the beauty that can emerge from unconventional materials. The project has not only contributed to environmental conservation but also challenged traditional notions of gender roles in construction.

Edna and Maria collected more than 13,000 bottles for the project, using approximately 8,000 in their home. Their innovative approach to building has brought attention to the issue of discarded waste, particularly in coastal communities. The Dantas women emphasize the importance of proper waste management and recycling policies to prevent broken glass and trash from accumulating in their environment.

The construction of Casa de Sal also highlights the housing deficit in Brazil, with an estimated 5.7 million homes needed in 2024. The project serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing both environmental issues and housing shortages in the country. For the Dantas women, their sustainable building practices extend beyond the home, inspiring local communities through workshops and the creation of an upcycled accessories brand.