studio MK27 tops 'planar house' in brazil with an expansive green roof

in porto feliz, a municipality in the brazilian state of são paulo, studio MK27 has completed a dwelling that the practice describes as ‘a radical exercise in horizontality’. appropriately named ‘planar house’, the residence is discreetly inserted at the plot’s highest point and topped with a green roof that mimics the surrounding lawn. referring to the roof as the building’s fifth façade, the architects also carefully integrated solar panels and skylights within the canopy.

the house is located in porto feliz, a municipality in the brazilian state of são paulo
image by fernando guerra (also main image)

‘structurally, the slab is a rigid platform that is not supported by beams but directly by the pillars, which are distributed modularly in three axes,’ explains studio MK27. ‘the cross-shaped metallic pillars are homage to the elegant proportions of miesian architecture.’ beneath the roof there are two programmatic boxes: the first contains service areas, a gym, TV and playrooms, while the second houses five en-suite bedrooms.

studio MK27 describes the project as ‘a radical exercise in horizontality’
image by fernando guerra

living rooms, which can be completely opened or closed by sliding glass doors, are located at each end of the property. with the doors open, the house is transformed into a generously proportioned terrace surrounded by nature. the interiors comprise low and solid wood furniture, while the layout of the home leaves enough space for free circulation. on the terrace, a hanging multi-colored club-chair becomes the focus of attention, contrasting with the horizontality of the dwelling.

the architects carefully integrated solar panels and skylights within the canopy
image by fernando guerra

another visual juxtaposition is provided by a vertical winding wall made of solid bricks arranged in solids and voids. ‘the wall, which is usually a symbol of division and isolation, in this project, is at times concave and at others convex, embracing the entrance garden and creating transparencies as well as offering protection from the street,’ say the architects. ‘its brick texture contributes to a cozy atmosphere and creates light filters with kinetic effects as the day passes.’

an aerial view of the house and its connected terrace
image by fernando guerra

the green roof mimics the surrounding lawn
image by fernando guerra

the slab is a rigid platform supported directly by the pillars
image by fernando guerra

with the doors open, the house is transformed into a generously proportioned terrace
image by fernando guerra

the living rooms are located at each end of the property
image by fernando guerra

‘planar house’ is surrounded by nature
image by fernando guerra

a pool adjoins the expansive terrace
image by fernando guerra

the residence is discreetly inserted at the plot’s highest point
image by fernando guerra

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project info:

name: planar house
location: porto feliz, sao paulo, brazil
project: august, 2013
completion: february, 2018
site area: 7,000 sqm
built area: 1,000 sqm

architecture: studio mk27
architect: marcio kogan
co-architect: lair reis
interior design: diana radomysler
project team: carlos costa, carolina castroviejo, laura guedes, mariana simas, oswaldo pessano, pedro ribeiro, raquel reznicek, renato périgo, ricardo ariza, miyabara suzana glogowski, tamara lichtenstein, thauan miquelin

photography: fernando guerra

landscape designer: maria joão d’orey
structure engineer: afaconsult
steel structure: afaconsult
mep: afaconsult
foundations: project: afaconsult / consulting: apoio
sustainability consultant: CTE / house enrolled in GBC (Green Building Council) reference home
air conditioning: logitec
automation consultant: project: noise / installation: cynthron
contractor: fairbanks & pilnik
main suppliers: bellas artes (stone); plancus (internal and external wood panels and doors); tecnosystem (aluminium frames)/ marvelar (woodwork) / lumini (lighting)