A Tropical Retreat In Rio Built Of Steel And Glass
Situated on a piece of land adjacent to the Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, this beautiful house serves as a peaceful and quiet retreat, a place to engage with nature and to enjoy all the amazing landscape unfolding all around it. The project was recently completed by the architects and designers at Olson Kundig and it looks magnificent. The team faced several challenges throughout the project and succeeded in making the house as small as possible without compromising on looks or comfort.
The result was a 1,500 sq ft (130 sqm) structure with large windows, gorgeous views and a very inviting interior. The primary material used for the main structure is stainless steel in response to the humid climate and the risk of corrosion. It was used in combination with concrete and glass for the exterior and with lots of wood for the interior.
As seen from the outside, the house resembles a big box made of steel and glass, supported by two large concrete piers, one taller than the other. It’s suspended high above the ground which leaves a big open area below. The architects turned this space into a beautiful sitting area with comfortable chairs and a green sofa facing a fireplace. There’s also an outdoor kitchen and an al fresco dining area all part of the same screened porch volume. By elevating the indoor section of the house, the architects managed to maximize the views and to take full advantage of the magnificent panoramas and the natural sunlight. The southern end of the house has views over the city and the sea and the northern section is facing the tropical forest.
