São Paulo, Brazil, 2024-11-27 – Canopy House, a stunning architectural achievement nestled in the tropical forest of São Paulo, epitomizes sustainable design while celebrating Brazil’s cultural richness. The house’s unique location, with its steep slopes and dense vegetation, posed a series of design challenges that required a delicate balance between access points, breathtaking views, and environmental impact throughout both the design and construction processes.

Designed as a white prism elevated on stilts, Canopy House touches the ground minimally, respecting the stringent footprint requirements and minimizing disruption to the surrounding natural environment. The main entrance is accessed via a spiral staircase, which connects the terrace to the bedrooms, offering an immersive experience with the outdoor landscape.

This design strategy eliminates traditional indoor connections between spaces, instead embracing the natural elements—wind, light, and the scents of the jungle—while inviting residents to engage with the ever-changing weather and atmosphere.

An elevated platform overlooks the lush forest canopy, creating an airy space enclosed by sliding glass panels. This seamless transition between the interior and exterior blurs the boundaries between the house and the surrounding Atlantic Forest, fostering a constant sense of immersion and enhancing the overall living experience.

The interior design of Canopy House is a tribute to Brazilian culture, blending contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship. Every texture and object within the space is carefully curated to showcase the country’s artistic heritage. The cobogó, designed specifically for this house, casts intricate shadow patterns throughout the day, adding dynamic texture to the interior.

Natural materials such as straw, wood, and concrete take center stage, with Israel Piaçava’s straw pendants, Pedro Petry’s coffee table, and José Bezerra’s sculptures reflecting Brazilian craftsmanship. The variety of fabrics—seen in rugs, hammocks, and iconic pieces like the Vivi armchair by Sergio Rodrigues—ties the different textures together into a harmonious whole.

• Completion: July 2023

• Site Area: 1,932 m²

• Built Area: 785 m²

• Architecture: Studio MK27

• Architect: Marcio Kogan

• Co-architects: Regiane Leão, Marcio Tanaka

• Interior Design: Diana Radomysler

• Interiors Co-author: Gustavo Ramos

• Project Team: Julia Jobim, Oswaldo Pessano

• Communications Team: Carlos Costa, Nathalia Lima, Tamara Lichtenstein

• Photo credit: Fernando Guerra

About Studio MK27:

Founded in the late 1970s by architect Marcio Kogan, Studio MK27 is a globally recognized architecture firm based in São Paulo, now with a team of 56 professionals and international collaborators. Studio MK27’s approach to architecture is deeply rooted in Brazilian modernism, with an emphasis on formal simplicity and attention to detail. Since the introduction of their co-creation model in 2001, the studio has received over 250 national and international awards, including recognition from the Institute of Brazilian Architects (IAB), São Paulo Architectural Biennial, and the World Architecture Festival (WAF). In 2012, Studio MK27 represented Brazil at the Venice Biennale, cementing its position as a leader in the global architectural community.