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photo of Rio House
Photo: Maíra Acayaba

Rio House

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio House

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Design Principal

    Tom Kundig

This private retreat adjacent to the Tijuca National Park outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a rational steel-and-glass box supported by two concrete piers. The 1,500-square-foot house rises into the rainforest canopy – a secluded hideaway for the owner couple to retreat from the city and connect with the natural landscape.

The home is sited in harmony with the wildness of its tropical jungle setting. Tucked into the juçara palm and cariniana trees, the north end of the home contains a single bedroom while the south end opens to views of city, sea and Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Below, a screened porch and outdoor kitchenette allow the owners to engage the landscape.

Painted, marine-grade stainless structural steel – the home’s primary material – stands up to the humid climate where corrosion is a concern. Manual gizmos on pivot windows and retractable window walls, as well as a solar water heating system, allow the home to function during intermittent power outages. Local construction techniques are incorporated inside and outside the home, from board-formed concrete site walls and colorful plaster interior walls to the Brazilian wood and vermelhão stained concrete floors, a common vernacular tradition.

The building hovers above the land and is a platform for the owners to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful Rio landscape. Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA

Team

Awards

2022

AIA Housing Award

2020

AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Design Awards, Honor Award

Architectural Record, Record House

Publications

2020

“16 projects win AIA NW&PR design awards.” Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, 14 Oct. 2020, 2. Print.

Carter, Alison. “Intimate and private Rio House rises into the canopy to embrace jungle.” World Architecture News, 11 Aug. 2020. Web.

D’Souza, Avril Noel. “This Brazilian Home is Built Adjacent to a National Park in Rio de Janeiro!” Good Homes India, 5 Jun. 2020. Web.

Gibson, Eleanor. “Tom Kundig describes 10 highlights of his architecture career.” Dezeen, 15 May 2020. Web.

Hall, Rachel. “Rio House.” Uncrate, 2 Jun. 2020. Web.

Hennigan, Tom. “Cloud Forest.” Architectural Record, Apr. 2020, 61, 100-104. Print.

Hennigan, Tom. “Rio House by Olson Kundig.” Architectural Record, 1 Apr. 2020. Web.

Klein, Kristine. “Olson Kundig Rio House is elevated on chunky concrete columns in Brazilian rainforest.” Dezeen, 27 May 2020. Web.

Nair, Vedika. “Olson Kundig celebrates Brazilian greenscape with Rio House, a 1,500 sq ft haven just outside the capital city.” Elle Décor India, 20 Jun. 2020. Web.

Opshepkova, Ksenia. “Дом в окрестностях Рио-де-Жанейро по проекту Olson Kundig.” AD Russia Online, 21 May 2020. Web.

“Refúgio projetado pelo escritório americano Olson Kundig no Rio de Janeiro.” Olhares, 5 Oct. 2020. Web.

“Rio House.” Archello, 27 Jul. 2020. Web.

“Rio House.” Architizer, 9 Jun. 2020. Web.

“Rio House near Tijuca National Park.” e-architect, 15 May 2020. Web.

Stevens, Philip. “olson kundig’s rio house in brazil is a remote rainforest retreat away from city life.” designboom, 28 May 2020. Web.

Vos, Justine. “Dans la forêt brésilienne, une maison à la naturalité exacerbée.” AD France, 6 Jul. 2020. Web.

Welton, J. Michael. “29 Masterworks in ‘Tom Kundig: Working Title.'” Architects + Artisans, 15 Jul. 2020. Web.