Blue House
André Scarpa
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
MarbleArthur Casas
LocksmithsArtSteel
Aluminium Window FramesKiko Esquadrias
Air ConditioningLogitec
Lighting Lumini
Window FramesMado

Product Spec Sheet
Marble
Locksmiths
Aluminium Window Frames
Air Conditioning
by Logitec
Lighting
by Lumini
Window Frames
by Mado

Blue House

studio mk27 as Architects

Casa Azul is a case study on how to build amidst lush and protected nature, without damaging it. The land is in Serra do Guararu, a coastal region of Atlantic Forest in the state of São Paulo, just 500 meters away from Iporanga Beach. 

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

The project should be implemented within an area previously delimited by environmental agencies, keeping the rest of the land untouched. Architecture had to work within strict parameters to fully preserve the existing landscape and from the start, a two meters setback perimeter was defined around the projection of the house to protect the forest from construction activities. 

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

The house was conceived on pilotis, freeing a span of 15 meters long by 8 meters wide, which shades the main social and leisure area on the ground floor of the house. This wooden deck, slightly raised from the ground to protect the pavement from moisture, blends in with the surrounding vegetation, sinuously extending beyond the building's projection. Its abstract geometry, a tribute to the work of landscape architect Roberto Burle-Marx, intentionally contrasts with the rectangular volume that defines the house above and makes it possible to bring the vegetation either closer or further away, alternating the forms of interaction with the landscape. 

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

The pool, partially protected by the shade, stands between the deck and nature, giving contour to the landscaping created by Rodrigo Oliveira. By moving out of the projection of the house, the pool allows a more direct connection between the design of the house and the forest and topography that extend towards the sea. Perpendicular to the deck, a rustic stone wall separates the leisure area from the service areas and complements the pair of pillars that structure the span.

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

Over the ground floor, two stacked and mismatched volumes seem to float amidst the treetops. The elevation of the volumes in Casa Azul is not only intended to shade and protect, but also to achieve the surrounding view. The first concrete box frames nature with its glazed sides and allows for a view of the sea. When opened, the room turns into a large veranda that allows the gaze to completely traverse the architecture. The second-floor houses four rooms immersed in the treetops. In this volume, the longitudinal faces are closed by wooden muxarabis, which gently filter the light. 

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

The wooden frames, fixed furniture, and decoration pieces, with natural textures and colors, bring the external nature into the house. The concrete volumes lend their tone to the floor tiles and stone countertops. On the ground floor, the floor of wide shards that leads to the entrance gradually breaks down and blends in with nature.

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

At Casa Azul, materiality is simple and discreet. The architecture lands smoothly on the ground, and the volumes open to the surroundings, diluting their presence. The game between the full and the empty makes the whole set light, and the house takes off. It is an architecture of a naturalist modernism that emphasizes the exuberance of the surrounding environment, becoming part of it.

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa
photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

Team:

Architecture: studio mk27

Architect: Marcio Kogan

Co-architect: Samanta Cafardo

Interior Design: studio mk27 - Diana Radomysler

Project team: Carlos Costa, Mariana Simas, Mariana Ruzante, Oswaldo Pessano, Ricardo Ariza

Landscape Designer: Rodrigo Oliveira

Structure Engineer: Inner engenharia

Mep Engineer: DLameza Engenharia

Contractor: Lock engenharia

Photographer: André Scarpa

photo_credit André Scarpa
André Scarpa

Materials used:

Window Frames: Mado

Light Fixtures: Lumini

Carpentry (doors, pannels and façade): Marvelar

Furniture Carpentry: Santana Toti

Marble: Arthur

Stones: Bellas Artes

Aluminium Window Frames: Kiko esquadrias

Locksmith: Artsteel

Wooden Deck: Core

photo_credit studio mk27
studio mk27
photo_credit studio mk27
studio mk27
photo_credit studio mk27
studio mk27

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