luminous, stacked volumes define ‘lima house’, studio MK27’s first dwelling in peru

each stacked box is clad with its own expressive material used as a wrapping skin which hides the openings.

kat barandy March 8, 2020 2 min

studio MK27 completes ‘lima house,’ the brazilian firm’s first project in lima, peru. situated within an urban site, the dwelling is designed to recall the atmosphere of a townhouse. the team organizes the project as three stacked volumes — a strategy further used toward the interiors which are divided into boxes that resolve the program. these internal programmatic boxes are separated and defined by wooden panels and doors. the residence is characterized as a playful perspective of space, a ‘metabox’ project.

studio mk27 lima house
all images by fernando guerra

studio MK27’s design comprises stacked boxes, each clad with its own expressive material used as a wrapping skin which hides the openings. the material palette is comprised of wood, stone, concrete, and aluminum. while the wood is of brazilian origin for its weather resistant qualities, the basalt stone and travertine marble are locally sourced. despite the necessarily robust and earthquake resistant concrete structure, the house’s cantilevered volumes offer the structure an element of lightness.

studio mk27 lima house

the ground floor volume of the house is occupied by such social programming as a terrace and kitchen. private spaces are organized within the second floor volume — including a master suite and terrace — while the third floor is dedicated to the children. the home offers two en-suites, a living room, a guest bedroom and bathroom and a terrace with a wall of hollow bricks, or cobogós. this cobogó façade guarantees visual protection while permitting the entrance of natural light and cross-ventilation. there is also a rooftop and a ‘semi-underground’ with a garage, utility area, gym and pool, which can be appreciated through a glass strip on the garden in the ground floor, beside the main living room.

studio mk27 lima house