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VIW Residence Went Viral for Showcasing Pools on Balconies. Experts Remind That Marine Environments Require Strict Design, Inspection, and Maintenance to Ensure Safety and Performance.
The seaside building with pools on the balcony, in Ubatuba (SP), is back in the spotlight after videos went viral on social media. The residential complex is the VIW Residence, designed by a team that includes architect Yuri Vital and recently completed. According to reports, the venture started in 2019, with the first keys delivered in 2023.
The complex consists of 27 units and became known for the zig-zag design of the balconies featuring water features. According to outlets like Terra, Diário do Nordeste, and Correio Braziliense, the unusual architecture has driven demand and raised safety concerns.
Elevated pools and seaside structures operate under different stresses, loads, and aggressive agents than urban buildings. They require design in accordance with technical standards, inspection plans, and a maintenance routine suited to coastal conditions.
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What Is the Controversial Building “With Pools on the Balcony” and Why Did It Go Viral
Videos on social media showed balconies illuminated in blue, leading internet users to question whether they were LEDs or real water. Reports clarified that they are functional pools, with visibility enhanced by the lighting and the transparent railing. The case involves the VIW Residence at Praia Grande, which received extensive media coverage.
Data released by outlets indicate 27 apartments, distributed across four floors plus a rooftop, with areas ranging from 160 m² to 335 m². The visual appeal heightened curiosity and generated commercial interest, according to news reports. Architecturally, specialized publications highlight the zig-zag design that integrates landscape and leisure on the balcony.
For the reader, the central point is to separate aesthetics from performance. The fact that it went viral does not exempt what engineering demands: sizing, materials suitable for the marine environment, and responsible operation of the pool system.
Why Balconies with Pools Require More Intense Maintenance on the Coast
The coast presents saline mist and wind laden with chlorides. According to the Institute of Technological Research (IPT), corrosion of reinforcements is one of the most frequent issues in concrete structures near the sea: steel exposed to chlorides can expand, crack, and delaminate the concrete cover, increasing repair costs. This applies to slabs, balcony edges, and pool basins.
In the design stage, ABNT NBR 6118 defines criteria for durability and covering for reinforcements according to environmental aggressiveness class. In marine regions, the cover and concrete quality must be reinforced. Meanwhile, ABNT NBR 6120 addresses the loads acting on the structure, including the water load and additional forces on balconies with railings, which must be considered by the engineer.
In the pool system, ABNT NBR 10339:2018 establishes requirements for design, execution, operation, and safety (such as water circulation and suction devices). In buildings, this needs to align with structural calculations and waterproofing of the slab, to avoid infiltrations and loss of performance.
What Standards and Inspections Guide the Safety of Structures with Pools
For the building as a whole, ABNT NBR 15575 (Performance Standard) defines requirements for water tightness, safety in use, durability, and maintainability. The owner and condominium manual should detail routines, deadlines, and responsibilities for each verification. This avoids misuse and provides the basis for the maintenance plan.
Regarding periodic verification, ABNT NBR 16747:2020 (Building Inspection) provides guidelines for technical inspections and issuing reports by qualified professionals. The standard does not set a uniform periodicity but guides the diagnosis of anomalies and the action plan according to criticality. In marine environmental regions, market practices recommend more frequent inspections than in non-aggressive urban areas.
In parallel, guides from Secovi-SP emphasize that the condominium should maintain an annual maintenance program, covering critical items such as waterproofing, pool hydraulic systems, railings, joints, and facades. Prevention costs less than corrective repairs after infiltration or established corrosion.
Want to Share Your Opinion? Would you invest in a property with a pool on the balcony on the coast, assuming a stricter maintenance plan, or do you think the Instagrammable effect does not justify the risk and cost? Leave your comment.
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