Canopy House - studiomk27
studio mk27 raises a holiday concrete home over the treetops of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The original photography is from Fernando Guerra.
Canopy House embodies the essence of a ‘retreat’. Designed by Studio MK27, this home is nestled in the tranquil countryside, surrounded by the lush Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, as if it's on the verge of blending into the greenery. Its dense foliage provides both privacy and seclusion, despite being just five minutes from the beach and a quick two-hour drive from central São Paulo. The project was commissioned by a client seeking a private getaway to rejuvenate, connect with nature, and gather with family. Today, it serves as a cherished holiday home for the clients, their three children, and grandchildren.
Unsurprisingly, the plot was key to the residence’s design. To minimize excavation and respect the natural landscape, the team opted to elevate the home on concrete columns.
The ground level has a relatively small footprint, primarily featuring service and storage areas, along with an outdoor living room that immerses you in the surrounding forest. On the first floor, five bedrooms and a TV room are arranged in a row, opening onto a spacious balcony adorned with three comfortable hammocks
At the top, the main living area is partially open to the elements and partially enclosed, fully connecting with nature through large expanses of glass. This expansive terrace provides a stunning view of the canopy and a peek at the sea beyond, all while ensuring privacy from the nearest neighbor.
The architects also designed a perforated breeze block for the project. It makes up the first floor’s long side wall, offering yet another option to connect with the environment, while also helping with natural ventilation. The fairly restricted material palette (concrete, South American pine timber and basalt stone) creates a minimalist interior language that does not detract from the spectacle of nature outside. Still, the architects ensured that indoor and outdoor surfaces and treatments were distinct, with the former having a softer, warmer feel, more suitable for a domestic space.
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