Building a House on the Santa Catarina Coast: the EZA Guide

Updated on 07/06/2026 by EZA Engenharia

Building a house on the coast of Santa Catarina calls for technical care quite different from what you see on an ordinary project. The salt air, the relentless humidity and the sandy soil of cities like Balneário Rincão change decisions that range from the foundation to the last detail of the finish. After more than 35 years running projects in Criciúma and the region, EZA Engenharia has seen up close the mistakes that make maintaining these houses more expensive years later, and knows exactly how to avoid them at the design stage. In this guide, we've gathered the main challenges and the solutions we apply on real projects along the coastal strip.

Why building near the sea requires a different design

Anyone who decides to build a house on the coast of Santa Catarina needs to understand one thing right away: the marine environment is far more aggressive than a project in the central area of Criciúma. The salt-laden air, the humidity that stays high for much of the year and the wind hitting directly all accelerate corrosion and wear processes that, in other regions, would take decades to appear.

In cities like Balneário Rincão, Içara and Cocal do Sul, this becomes even more evident the closer the lot is to the sea. That is why the architectural and structural design must be born with this condition in mind, rather than being patched up after the problem has already appeared on the wall.

• Hardware and frames subject to oxidation accelerated by sea air
• Constant moisture that attacks paint, plaster and finishes
• Strong winds that demand extra attention to roofs and sealing
• Sandy soil that changes the behavior of the foundation

Foundations: the part that cannot be improvised

The foundation is, without a doubt, the most critical item in a high-end home near the sea. Coastal lots usually have sandy soil and a shallower water table, which completely changes the structural behavior compared to a lot of clay or rock, common in downtown Criciúma.

Before any design decision, EZA carries out soil testing to understand the bearing capacity of the ground. Depending on the result, the foundation may vary between reinforced footings, a raft slab or deep piles, always calculated by in-house engineering and never copied from another project next door.

Skipping this stage, or treating the foundation as an off-the-shelf item, is the most expensive mistake there is when building near the sea. Settlement, cracks and infiltration that show up years later almost always come from a foundation poorly sized for the local soil.

Materials resistant to sea air: what really makes a difference

Not every material withstands salt and constant humidity well. Choosing right avoids rework and cuts maintenance costs over the years, something essential in a high-end house that needs to hold its value and good looks for decades.

In practice, EZA prioritizes specifications that have already proven their durability in projects delivered in the region, such as the A.F Residence in Balneário Rincão.

• Aluminum frames with anti-corrosion treatment or high-resistance PVC, leaving ordinary iron aside
• Hardware, hinges and locks in stainless steel or marine brass
• Painting with an anti-corrosion system and a primer coat suited to a salty environment
• Low-absorption ceramic and porcelain tiles in outdoor areas
• Galvanized or protected metal structures, when included in the design

Construction company or real-estate developer: what is the difference when building at the beach

It's common for the client to confuse the two models, but the difference weighs heavily when choosing who will run the project. The real-estate developer, generally, buys the land, develops its own project and sells the units ready or off-plan, with little or no customization for the buyer.

EZA Engenharia works as a construction company: the client already has, or is looking for, the lot in Criciúma, Balneário Rincão or neighboring cities, and EZA takes on the project from scratch, from the soil study to the final finish, with in-house engineering overseeing every stage. This gives more control over critical technical decisions, such as the foundation and the materials resistant to sea spray, something a standardized real-estate developer project rarely delivers.

Extra care in areas like Balneário Rincão and neighboring cities

Besides Balneário Rincão, EZA handles projects in Içara, Forquilhinha, Nova Veneza and Cocal do Sul, each with its own particularities of soil, wind and distance from the sea. A lot just a few meters from the shore doesn't call for the same treatment as a lot a few kilometers inland, even if they're in the same city.

That is why every project begins with a technical visit to the site, before closing any cost or material. The final investment varies considerably according to these factors, and that is why EZA always works with cost ranges upon request, adjusted after the actual analysis of the site and the client's program of needs.

• Distance from the sea and direct exposure to wind and salt air
• Soil type and water table level
• Desired finishing standard and built area
• Complexity of the architectural design

Building on the Santa Catarina coast is a decision that carries more variables than any residential project downtown, and each of them weighs on the durability and value of the property down the line. EZA Engenharia brings together more than 35 years of history in Criciúma and region, with houses delivered in Balneário Rincão, Içara, Cocal do Sul and Nova Veneza, always with in-house engineering following the project from start to finish. If you are planning to build or expand a high-end house near the sea, talk to those who have already solved these problems in practice. Reach us on WhatsApp at (48) 99191-2018, write to [email protected] or visit eza.com.br to see the full portfolio and schedule a no-obligation conversation.