A home in the Atlantic Forest. Casa Azul by Studio MK27
27/07/2022.
[Guarujá] Brazil
metalocus, ANDRÉS MATAS
metalocus, ANDRÉS MATAS
Called Casa Azul is the latest project by Brazilian architecture firm Studio MK27. A beachside residence living in harmony with nature, with the stunning Iporanga Beach and the Atlantic Ocean a mere 500m away, in Guarujá, state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Located in the Serra do Guararu environmental preservation area in the Atlantic Forest (or also known as the Atlantic forest, it is a neotropical plant formation), understandably, the local municipality was strict with the construction license.
Nearly two years were necessary to secure the required environmental agency approvals, which mandated a 2m-wide protective area around the footprint of the home to shield the forest from building activity. Officials paid special attention to the construction process and frequently visited on-site to inspect the impact of the project on the surrounding flora.
Located in the Serra do Guararu environmental preservation area in the Atlantic Forest (or also known as the Atlantic forest, it is a neotropical plant formation), understandably, the local municipality was strict with the construction license.
Nearly two years were necessary to secure the required environmental agency approvals, which mandated a 2m-wide protective area around the footprint of the home to shield the forest from building activity. Officials paid special attention to the construction process and frequently visited on-site to inspect the impact of the project on the surrounding flora.
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Site plan. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Ground floor plan. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
First floor plan. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Second floor plan. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Cross section. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Cross section. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Longitudinal section. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
North elevation. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
South elevation. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
West elevation. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Diagram. Casa Azul by Studio MK27.
Studio MK27 designed the 400-square-metre Casa Azul with a concrete structure raising above the tropical forest ground on concrete pilotis also, supporting two rectangular stacked concrete volumes, slightly offset from one another.
To reduce the impact on the ground, the amorphous ground floor was left free, covered with a wooden platform that is finished off with a blue swimming pool. This decision protects the house from the excessive humidity of the jungle and makes the home appear to float above the rainforest floor. The landscaping was done by Rodrigo Oliveira.
Above this space free (and only with a small facility program), the staircase gives access to the two stacked volumes that develop the house program. On the first level, an open, loft-style floor plan, has openings with a telescoping glass-panel system on both sides to allow cross-ventilation, facilitating a more direct connection with nature and framing views of the crowns that top the surrounding trees.
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa.
The second level houses four bedrooms, each looking out over the rainforest’s roof. This floor stands out for its elegant wooden screens, mounted in front of glass panels as latticework, so characteristic of Arab culture in the Iberian Peninsula.
Studio MK27 originally planned to paint these screens in their traditional light blue, the same colour that accents most of the historic Portuguese colonial structures across Brazil, hence the name Casa Azul. However, the team eventually opted for a natural wood finish on the screens to further blend the house with the forest, rather than draw a contrast. Despite the change, the ‘Blue House’ moniker was retained.
To reduce the impact on the ground, the amorphous ground floor was left free, covered with a wooden platform that is finished off with a blue swimming pool. This decision protects the house from the excessive humidity of the jungle and makes the home appear to float above the rainforest floor. The landscaping was done by Rodrigo Oliveira.
Above this space free (and only with a small facility program), the staircase gives access to the two stacked volumes that develop the house program. On the first level, an open, loft-style floor plan, has openings with a telescoping glass-panel system on both sides to allow cross-ventilation, facilitating a more direct connection with nature and framing views of the crowns that top the surrounding trees.
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa
Casa Azul by Studio MK27. Photograph by André Scarpa.
The second level houses four bedrooms, each looking out over the rainforest’s roof. This floor stands out for its elegant wooden screens, mounted in front of glass panels as latticework, so characteristic of Arab culture in the Iberian Peninsula.
Studio MK27 originally planned to paint these screens in their traditional light blue, the same colour that accents most of the historic Portuguese colonial structures across Brazil, hence the name Casa Azul. However, the team eventually opted for a natural wood finish on the screens to further blend the house with the forest, rather than draw a contrast. Despite the change, the ‘Blue House’ moniker was retained.
More information
Architects
Studio MK27. Architect.- Marcio Kogan. Co-Architect.- Samanta Cafardo.
Project team
Mariana Ruzante, Oswaldo Pessano, Ricardo Ariza.
Communication team.- Carlos Costa, Mariana Simas, Nathalia Lima.
Communication team.- Carlos Costa, Mariana Simas, Nathalia Lima.
Collaborators
Interior design.- Diana Radomysler.
Landscape designer.- Rodrigo Oliveira.
Structural engineer.- DLameza Engenharia / Inner Engenharia.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer.- DLameza Engenharia.
Automation.- Gilberto Floriano.
Air conditioner.- Logitec.
Landscape designer.- Rodrigo Oliveira.
Structural engineer.- DLameza Engenharia / Inner Engenharia.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer.- DLameza Engenharia.
Automation.- Gilberto Floriano.
Air conditioner.- Logitec.
Contractors
Lock Engenharia.
Area
Site area.- 1.200 m².
Built area.- 400 m².
Built area.- 400 m².
Dates
Project.- August, 2015.
Completion.- 2020.
Completion.- 2020.
Location
Guarujá, Brazil.
Photography
MARCIO KOGAN. STUDIO MK27
studio MK27 was founded at the beginning of the 80’s by Marcio Kogan and today is joined by 20 architects, besides collaborators in numerous countries around the world. The architects of the Studio develop the projects from start to finish, and sign as the projects co-authors. The Office has won numerous international awards such as: Wallpaper Design Awards, Record House, Interior Record, D&AD, LEAF Awards, Dedalo Minosse, Barbara Cappochin of the International Biennial of Padova, Spark Awards and World Architecture Festival. In 2011, Wallpaper and Época considered Marcio Kogan as one of the 100 most influential people and received the title of honorary member of the AIA, American Institute of Architects and in 2012 represented Brazil in the Venice Biennial of Architecture. In Brazil he has received 13 awards of the Instituto de Arquitetos do Brasil, IAB (Brazilian Institute of Architects). The projects of studio MK27 are valued for their formal simplicity, always working with special attention to the details and finishings. Marcio Kogan and the architects of the team, great admirers of the Brazilian modernist generation, seek to fulfill the difficult task of giving continuity to this line of production.
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