Studio MK27 hides 'sand house' within the tropical coastline of northeastern Brazil

Offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, ‘sand house’ by Studio MK27 almost disappears into its coastal plot in northeastern Brazil.

Surrounded by tropical trees in the state of Bahia, the beach house — photographed here by Fernando Guerra — is elevated on a wooden deck that supports five enclosed volumes. The entire deck is covered by a permeable eucalyptus pergola supported by 14 laminated wood frames. Both the deck and the overhead canopy are punctured by several trees that provide residents with a constant source of shade.

Internally, Studio MK27 reduced the program to contain only essential living spaces. The five volumes are each dedicated to a single function: the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, the main bedroom, and the guest bedrooms. The deck itself serves as the circulation space, with the positioning of the volumes resulting in a variety of communal and more private areas. By dissolving the boundaries between external and internal space, the project is able to harmonize with nature, thus becoming part of the natural landscape.

Separate from the main structure, a swimming pool is positioned closer to the shoreline. However, rather than sharp lines and right angles, the pool has a more natural and organic shape that allows it to enter into a dialogue with the house. Studio MK27 was also responsible for the project’s interiors, which include a dining table by Roger Capron and a Jean Gillon-designed armchair. See other projects by Studio MK27, the firm led by architect Marcio Kogan, on designboom here.

project info:

Name: sand house

Location: Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil

Dates: July 2015 – April 2019

Site area: 6,570 sqm / 70,719 sqf

Built area: 819 sqm

Architecture and interiors: Studio MK27

Architect: Marcio Kogan

Co-architect: Marcio Tanaka, Beatriz Meyer

Interior design: Diana Radomysler, Serge Cajfinger

Interior design co-author: Pedro Ribeiro

Project team: Carlos Costa, Laura Guedes, Mariana Simas, Oswaldo Pessano

Landscape designer: Isabel Duprat Arquitetura Paisagística

Structural engineer: Inner Engenharia; eng. Ricardo Bozza, eng. Marcelo José Bianco

Photography: Fernando Guerra

Wood structure: Carpinteria, eng. Alan Dias; rewood, eng. Calil Neto

MEP: Zamaro instalações hidráulicas e elétricas

Foundations: Inner Engenharia

Garden lighting consultant: Lightworks Iluminação

Construction manager: SC consult, eng. Sérgio Costa

Air conditioning: Logiproject

Automation consultant: G&F Engenharia e Iluminação

Audio and video installation: Office facilities

Contractor: Kross Engenharia, eng. Sérgio Ramos, eng. Davi Moraes

Main suppliers: Mado (window wood frames) / Plancus (wood structure) / Plancus (wooden doors, panels, brise-soleil, deck and ceiling) / lightworks (light fixtures) / Tresuno (cement floor) / Pedra Bellas Artes (stone floors, tops and countertops) / Comarx (swimming pool installations) / Monteiro Irrigação (irrigation) / Marcenaria Dati (woodwork)