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Block House, located in São Paulo, is part of Studio MK27’s series of urban residences. Positioned on a narrow site characteristic of the city's residential neighborhoods, the house develops along a stretched linear plan that cleverly adapts to the plot’s constraints. This layout fosters a continuous flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing natural light, cross-ventilation, and spatial openness.
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At ground level, a stretched, linear volume spans the entire site, containing service and utility areas that open onto a side patio, bringing in light and air. Adjacent to it, an open space hosts the social areas such as living, dining, and terrace; which seamlessly link the front and back gardens, blurring the line between inside and out.
Above, a second volume sits partly over the ground floor and partly anchored to the side wall. Lifted on slender, Miesian-inspired metal columns, it forms a shaded, breezy piloti beneath, enhancing privacy and sun control. This upper level accommodates the family’s bedrooms, with views directed toward the garden canopy.
The name “Block House” refers to its distinctive upper volume, wrapped in a wooden skin composed of solid, repurposed industrial wood pieces arranged like small bricks. This breathable facade filters sunlight and promotes cross-ventilation, offering a contemporary take on the traditional mashrabiya. It evokes Brazilian architectural memory while adding warmth, texture, and a dynamic play of light.
Block House, located in São Paulo, is part of Studio MK27’s ongoing exploration of urban living. Designed for a narrow plot typical of the city’s residential neighborhoods, the house is organized along a linear axis that responds precisely to the site’s proportions. On the ground floor, a long, slender volume stretches the length of the plot, accommodating service and support spaces that open onto a lateral patio. This patio brings in natural light and ventilation, enhancing comfort and spatial fluidity. In front of this volume, the social areas unfold as an open, continuous plaza that connects directly to both the front and rear gardens, blurring boundaries between interior and exterior. Above, the upper floor appears to float, partially supported by the lower volume and partially anchored to the side wall. Raised on slender, Miesian-style metal columns, it creates a shaded piloti that shelters the social areas while offering privacy and sun protection. This elevated block houses the bedrooms, which face the treetops of the garden. The material palette emphasizes the project’s tactile and sensitive character. Ribbed exposed concrete defines the structure and adds texture to vertical planes. On the ground floor, natural oak panels enclose the service block, contrasting with gray stone flooring that unifies all social areas. The ventilated wood façade not only regulates climate but also brings warmth and delicacy to the architecture.
Block House is more than an exploration of urban living, it’s a synthesis of formal simplicity, spatial balance, and sensory sophistication.
Studio MK27, founded by Marcio Kogan in late 1970s São Paulo, is a collective of 50+ architects and global collaborators. Rooted in Brazilian modernism, the studio reinterprets its legacy with minimalist forms, rich materiality, and precise detailing.
Kogan, an honorary AIA member and professor at Politecnico di Milano, also serves on the boards of MASP and MUBE. Named among Brazil’s most influential by Época, he appears on Wallpaper’s "150 Famous for 15 Years" and ranked 39th on Dezeen’s Hot List. Since adopting a collaborative model in 2001, the studio has earned over 250 awards, including WAF, Leaf, and Record House. In 2012, it represented Brazil at the Venice Biennale. Studio MK27 has lectured at top institutions worldwide, from Yale and Cornell to the Royal Academy of Arts and Politecnico di Milano, affirming its role as a global voice in contemporary architecture.
