Studio MK27: Architecture Rooted in Place
The first time I traveled to Brazil, I was struck by how powerful and alive the landscape is—untamed, constantly pushing back against the built environment. In cities like Rio de Janeiro, towering mountains, lush tropical forests, and the vast ocean seem to reclaim their place, weaving through the urban fabric. Even in the busiest centers, nature is ever-present—vines creep up facades, trees emerge from sidewalks, and birdsong mingles with the rush of water. Here, the landscape doesn’t just coexist with architecture; it shapes it, influencing how spaces are designed and experienced.
Azul | photographer > andré scarpa
Brazilian architecture is deeply shaped by the country’s diverse geography—dense rainforests, vast coastlines, arid savannas, and rolling mountains—all of which demand a design approach that responds organically to the land. This connection to nature has influenced architects to create structures that embrace openness, fluidity, and climate-sensitive design, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Homes and public spaces feature open-air bedrooms, expansive terraces, and courtyards that invite light, wind, and vegetation to dictate their form. Rather than imposing on the environment, Brazilian architects work in harmony with it, a philosophy that has defined the nation’s built environment for decades. Pioneers of Brazilian Modernism, such as Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa, championed fluid forms, open spaces, and an intrinsic relationship between architecture and nature. Their legacy lives on through contemporary firms like Studio MK27, which continues to craft buildings that not only respect but enhance their surroundings, ensuring that nature remains an integral part of the built environment.
“Brazil’s architecture is a testament to the country’s deep relationship with nature—a dynamic conversation between the built and the wild. From the rainforests of the Amazon to the golden beaches of Bahia and the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic coast, the landscape is not merely a setting but a defining force. ”
Led by Marcio Kogan, Studio MK27 is renowned for creating buildings that exist in deep harmony with their surroundings. Rooted in a philosophy of environmental respect, the firm’s designs blend seamlessly into the landscape rather than imposing upon it. Whether nestled in lush jungles, perched on coastal cliffs, or integrated into vineyards, their projects celebrate nature through organic materials, open spaces, and a design language that prioritizes light, air, and a profound sense of place. Each project is a carefully crafted architectural story, deeply tied to its geographical and cultural context.
On the Sand House | photographer > fernando guerra
Founded in the 1970s, Studio MK27 has grown into an internationally recognized practice, championing minimalism, precision, and craftsmanship. Kogan and his team approach architecture with a cinematic sensibility, choreographing the relationship between space, light, and nature to create structures that feel both modern and timeless. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in passive design strategies, natural ventilation, and the use of locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact. Deeply influenced by Brazilian Modernism, the firm’s work adapts seamlessly to diverse landscapes—from dense tropical forests to arid deserts and serene coastal settings—demonstrating an unparalleled sensitivity to context, culture, and materiality.
Brazil’s architecture is a testament to the country’s deep relationship with nature—a dynamic conversation between the built and the wild. From the rainforests of the Amazon to the golden beaches of Bahia and the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic coast, the landscape is not merely a setting but a defining force. Architects here have learned to embrace rather than resist this power, crafting spaces that dissolve boundaries and invite the outdoors in. Studio MK27 exemplifies this philosophy, continuing Brazil’s legacy of design that respects, enhances, and exists in harmony with its surroundings. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, Brazilian architecture offers a compelling vision—one where the land is not just a backdrop but the very foundation of how we live, build, and experience space.
Jungle House | photographer > fernando guerra
Jungle House
One of the firm’s most striking examples of architecture in dialogue with nature is Jungle House, located in the dense Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Designed to immerse its inhabitants in the surrounding greenery, the structure is elevated to minimize its footprint, allowing the forest to remain largely untouched. Expansive openings and terraces frame breathtaking views, while natural materials like wood and stone blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. A rooftop garden further enhances the connection to nature, making the house feel like an extension of the jungle itself.
“[The Jungle House] shows the desire of establishing a relationship between an architecture of exact lines and its surroundings. Curiously, this relationship is achieved not merely by a formal contrast, but also by a sensorial-spatial tectonic approximation with the environment, as if the architecture had emerged from the soil and landscape. ”
AZUL
Located in a coastal setting, Azul features a low, elongated structure that harmonizes with the landscape, using natural materials like wood, stone, and concrete to create a warm yet contemporary aesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels open the interiors to the surrounding environment, allowing abundant natural light and ocean breezes to flow through. The design emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, with expansive terraces, an infinity pool, and open communal spaces that foster a deep connection with nature. True to Studio MK27’s philosophy, Azul House embodies simplicity, precision, and a respect for its surroundings.
Azul | photographer > andré scarpa
Azul | photographer > andré scarpa
Azul | photographer > andré scarpa
C+C
C+C House is a striking example of minimalist architecture seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings. Located in São Paulo, Brazil, this residence embodies the firm’s signature approach—where simplicity, precision, and a deep respect for the landscape define the design. The structure is composed of clean, horizontal lines, with an emphasis on open spaces that dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Expansive glass walls invite natural light while framing lush garden views, ensuring the home feels both sheltered and connected to nature. Warm wooden elements contrast with raw concrete, creating a balance between organic and industrial materials.
C+C; Photographer > Fernando Guerra
C+C; Photographer > Fernando Guerra
C+C; Photographer > Fernando Guerra
“mk27 projects frequently departs from only one element – defined by a single trace – to create a regular order in the plan organization. This starting point unfolds the entire architectural design. In C+C House this element is a wall, longitudinal on the site and located near the center of the lot. The surface, cladded in slatted Freijó wood, separates front entrance from the garage; living from the kitchen and utility rooms; circulation from the social areas. ”
PARATY HOUSE
Nestled between the dense Atlantic Forest and the turquoise waters of the Brazilian coast, Paraty House is a striking example of architecture in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Located on an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, the house is composed of two large concrete volumes that appear to float above the rocky shoreline, subtly embedded into the landscape. The lower volume is partially hidden by the terrain, blending with the earth, while the upper volume extends outward, creating a dramatic cantilevered effect that frames panoramic ocean views. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors, allowing natural light and sea breezes to flow through effortlessly. Rich wooden interiors and stone elements further root the home in its environment, reinforcing a sense of warmth and natural connection.
“On the one hand Paraty House builds a second nature – in concrete and glass – then on the other, the local tropical vegetation easily envelops the house, mimicking the construction. The dialectic relationship between man-nature is the very radicalism of this project.”
Paraty House | photographer > gabriel arantes . nelson kon . reinaldo coser
DU PLESSIS
“Local legislation demanded the design of a gable roof with clay tiles for Du Plessis House. These restrictions opened a new path for studio mk27 projects: to reinterpret the colonial and vernacular Brazilian architecture traditions into a contemporary language. If, on the one hand, the project explores traditional materials and solutions such as the internal patio and wooden mashrabiya panels applied to sliding doors, on the other, it signals the approach of the studio with miesian lexicon of formal purity. This relationship is literally translated in the architectural form. On the outside, the house is a prismatic volume in laminated canjiquinha stone. Going inside this shell, we discover a house with twists of the colonial architecture built in this region of Paraty.” - Gabriel Kogan
“Local legislation demanded the design of a gable roof with clay tiles for Du Plessis House. These restrictions opened a new path for studio mk27 projects: to reinterpret the colonial and vernacular Brazilian architecture traditions into a contemporary language. ”
Du Plessis | photographer > arnaldo pappalardo
ON THE SAND
On the Sand is a minimalist beachfront retreat in Brazil featuring a low, linear form that blends into the sandy landscape, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that invite in the coastal breeze and frame panoramic ocean views. A combination of raw concrete, wood, and natural textures enhances the connection between architecture and nature, while the open-plan layout fosters a sense of fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces. Elevated slightly above the ground, the structure minimizes its environmental impact, embodying MK27’s signature approach of refined simplicity.
“There are limits, such as the ocean, that appear to our eyes and soul like boundless openings. When confronted with these powerful natural elements, architecture must also open itself and project towards the limit. The house on the Sand, with its extraordinary view to the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast of Brazil, undertakes this venture. Immersed within the tropical woods that lead to the stunning beach of Itapororoca, the house expresses an authentic experimentation around the dissolution of architecture into its natural surroundings. ”
On the Sand House | photographer > fernando guerra
On the Sand House | photographer > fernando guerra
On the Sand House | photographer > fernando guerra
Village House
Designed as a cluster of interconnected volumes, Village House reinterprets traditional village layouts while maintaining a strong connection to nature. Located in the Brazilian countryside, the house is composed of several small buildings, each with its own function, linked by open courtyards and gardens. This approach not only respects the scale of the landscape but also encourages a fluid interaction between architecture and the outdoors, reinforcing a sense of community and natural immersion.
Village House | photographer > fernando guerra
Village House | photographer > fernando guerra
Vista
Set atop a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Vista House features a minimalist yet warm design, with natural materials like wood, stone, and concrete that blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Expansive sliding glass doors create a fluid transition between indoors and outdoors, allowing ocean breezes and natural light to flow freely. The design prioritizes openness and relaxation, with spacious terraces, an infinity pool, and communal areas that invite a deep connection with Brazil’s coastal landscape.
Vista | photographer > christian moller andersen . fernando guerra
Vista | photographer > christian moller andersen . fernando guerra
DU PLESSIS
location > paraty . rj . brazil
project > october . 2001
conclusion > november . 2003
site area > 990 sqm
built area > 405 sqm
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architecture and interior design > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architects > cassia cavani . diana radomysler
interiors > diana radomysler
project team > oswaldo pessano . samanta cafardo
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contractor > dp unique
structure engineer > gramont engenharia
landscape design > marcelo faisal
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photographer > arnaldo pappalardo
JUNGLE
location > guarujá . sp . brazil
project > september . 2009
completion > september . 2015
site area > 1.668 sqm
built area > 805 sqm
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architecture and interior design > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > samanta cafardo
interiors > diana radomysler
architecture team > oswaldo pessano . fernanda neiva
interiors team > eline ostyn . mariana ruzante
communication team > carlos costa . laura guedes . mariana simas
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contractor > eng. rogerio biral
structure engineer > leão associados
landscape designer > isabel duprat
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photographer > fernando guerra
AZUL
location > guarujá . brazil
project > august . 2015
completion > 2020
site area > 1.200²
built area > 400 m²
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architecture and interiors > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > samanta cafardo
interior design > diana radomysler
project team > mariana ruzante . oswaldo pessano . ricardo ariza
communication team > carlos costa . mariana simas . nathalia lima
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contractor > lock engenharia
structure engineer > inner engenharia
structure engineer > DLameza Engenharia
automation > gilberto floriano
air conditioner > logitec
landscape designer > rodrigo oliveira
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photographer > andré scarpa
PARATY
location> paraty . rj . brazil
project > august . 2006
completion > may . 2009
site area > 235.000 sqm
built area > 840 sqm
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architecture and interior design > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > suzana glogowski
interiors > diana radomysler
architecture team > lair reis
interiors team > carolina castroviejo
communication team > mariana simas
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contractor > lock engenharia
structure engineer > sf engenharia
landscape design > gil fialho
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photographer > gabriel arantes . nelson kon . reinaldo coser
VISTA
location > trancoso . bahia. brazil
project > october . 2014
completion > october . 2019
site area > 10.573 sqm
built area > 843 sqm
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architecture and interiors > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > samanta cafardo
interior design > diana radomysler
co-interior design > pedro ribeiro
project team > beatriz meyer . giovanni meirelles . oswaldo pessano
communication team > carlos costa . mariana simas . nathalia lima
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contractor > kross engenharia
structure engineer > inner engenharia e gerenciamento
construction manager > sc consult / eng. sérgio costa
landscape designer > isabel duprat arquitetura paisagística
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photographer > christian moller andersen . fernando guerra
C+C
location > são paulo. sp . brazil
project > september . 2011
completion > june . 2015
site area > 550 sqm
built area > 513 sqm
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architecture and interior design > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > samanta cafardo
interiors > diana radomysler
architecture team > ricardo ariza
interiors team > eline ostyn
communication team > carlos costa . laura guedes . mariana simas
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contractor > lock engenharia
structure engineer > benedictis engenharia
landscape designer > rodrigo oliveira
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photographer > fernando guerra
VILLAGE
location> fazenda boa vista, porto feliz, são paulo
project > december . 2017
completion > july . 2022
site area > 26.952,33 sqm
built area > 2.385 sqm
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architecture > studio mk27
architect > Marcio Kogan
co-architect > Lair Reis
interior design > Diana Radomysler
co-autor interiores > Luisa Vicentini
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project team > > Ricardo ariza, Eduardo Radomysler, Oswaldo pessano, Renato Perigo, Gustavo Meirelles, Suzana Glogowski
communications team > Carlos Costa e Nathalia Lima
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contractor > allé engenharia
structure engineer > leão & associados
certification > Green Building Council (GBC) Gold Certification
landscape designer > Maria João d'Orey
mep engineer >zamaro
automation > Noise (project) and Cynthron (execution)
HVAC > Greenwatt
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photographer > fernando guerra
ON THE SAND
location > trancoso . bahia. brazil
project > july . 2015
completion > april . 2019
site area > 6.570 sqm
built area > 819 sqm
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architecture and interiors > studio mk27
architect > marcio kogan
co-architect > marcio tanaka
interior design > diana radomysler . serge cajfinger
project team > oswaldo pessano . beatriz meyer
interiors team > pedro ribeiro
communication team > carlos costa . laura guedes . mariana simas . tamara lichtenstein
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contractor > kross engenharia
construction manager > sc consult / eng. sérgio costa
structure engineer > inner engenharia e gerenciamento
wood structure > carpinteria estruturas de madeira . rewood
landscape designer > isabel duprat arquitetura paisagística
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photographer > fernando guerra