Rio House / Olson Kundig

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Forest
© Maíra Acayaba

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography, Garden, ForestRio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography, Forest, GardenRio House / Olson Kundig - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Beam, Deck, PatioRio House / Olson Kundig - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair, Deck, Patio, BeamRio House / Olson Kundig - More Images+ 22

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Design Principal: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA
  • Project Manager: Edward Lalonde
  • Architectural Staff: Fergus Knox
  • Gizmo Design: KB Architectural Services, Phil Turner
  • Gizmo Fabricator: 12th Avenue Iron
  • General Contractor : Construtora São Bento
  • Facade Consultant: FRONT
  • Steelwork: Eleve
  • City: Rio de Janeiro
  • Country: Brazil
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Rio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography, Garden, Forest
© Maíra Acayaba

Text description provided by the architects. After living in the urban core of Rio de Janeiro for many years, the clients wanted to build an intimate retreat on their property adjacent to the Tijuca National Park where they could enjoy books, art, and especially the natural landscape. The primary design goal was to make the house as small as possible within its tropical jungle setting. The 1,500-square-foot house rises into the rainforest canopy – a secluded hideaway for the owner couple to retreat from the distractions of city life.

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography
© Maíra Acayaba

Essentially a steel-and-glass box, the house hovers above the land supported structurally by two concrete piers, one of which also functions as an indoor/outdoor fireplace. Tucked into the juçara palm and cariniana trees on the 3.1-acre site, the north end of the home contains a single bedroom while the south end opens to views of the city, the sea, and Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue. On the ground plane below, a screened porch and outdoor kitchenette allow the owners to engage the landscape. 

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Interior Photography, Living Room, Lighting, Beam, Deck, Patio
© Maíra Acayaba
Rio House / Olson Kundig - Image 27 of 27
Upper level floor plan
Rio House / Olson Kundig - Image 26 of 27
Main floor plan

Local construction techniques are incorporated throughout, including board-formed concrete site walls and interior walls of colorful plaster over terracotta in the Brazilian tradition. Floors are Brazilian wood and vermelhão stained concrete, a common vernacular tradition. Painted, marine-grade stainless structural steel – the home’s primary material – stands up to the humid climate where corrosion is a concern. The home is designed for natural ventilation with manual pivot windows and retractable window walls with insect screens. These, along with a solar water heating system, allow the home to function during intermittent power outages.

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, Beam, Deck, Patio
© Maíra Acayaba
Rio House / Olson Kundig - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair, Deck, Patio, Beam
© Maíra Acayaba

“This house is a private, intimate place for the owner couple to go up into the hillside above Rio de Janeiro and enjoy books, art and especially the big, beautiful landscape.” –Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal

Rio House / Olson Kundig - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Garden, Courtyard
© Maíra Acayaba

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About this office
Cite: "Rio House / Olson Kundig" 17 May 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/982027/rio-house-olson-kundig> ISSN 0719-8884

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