studio mk27: toblerone house

‘toblerone house’ by studio mk27, sao paulo, brazil all images courtesy of studio mk27 image © nelson kon

brazilian practice studio mk27 has completed the ‘toblerone house’ in sao paulo, brazil. three expansive horizontal concrete planes sandwich the simple juxtoposition of two contrasting spaces. upstairs, the ‘house on pilotis’, a wood box deep within the roof footprint is wrapped in retractable screens of slender wooden slats which serve as a backdrop for the vegetation’s shadows during the day, while illuminating at night to give hints as to the activity inside. the lower level is comprised of two rows of 14 slender steel columns running longitudinally to maximize unobstructed exposure to the outside through the fully functional glass walls. public spaces are organized within this transparent soft-storey surrounded by the natural outdoor garden. the living room extends beyond the vitreous envelope to an exterior veranda and patio with a hanging fireplace and a circular void in the ceiling embracing two trees.

‘toblerone house’ has been shortlisted in the ‘villas’ category of the 2012 world architecture festival. see the complete list of this year’s nominated projects here.

view from garden image © nelson kon

two levels separated by horizontal concrete masses image © nelson kon

contrast of two volumes image © nelson kon

open living space below image © nelson kon

open-air veranda image © nelson kon

rear stairs image © nelson kon

exterior image © nelson kon

wood slats wrap the skin of the upstairs image © nelson kon

the envelope blocks views during the day image © nelson kon

deep overhangs minimize direct sunlight image © nelson kon

glass reflects exterior garden image © nelson kon

outdoor veranda with trees and hanging fireplace image © nelson kon

void in the ceiling embraces three trees image © nelson kon

patio image © nelson kon

separation of outdoor and indoor by large glass walls image © nelson kon

interior living room image © nelson kon

office image © nelson kon

stairs image © nelson kon

interior bedroom image © nelson kon

retractable wooden screens image © nelson kon

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

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project info:

location: são paulo . sp . brazil project: january 2008 completion: october  2011 site area: 1,453 m2 built area:  590 m2