Extensive green roof in the “Planar House” – modern architecture with a green roof from Brazil

The extensive green roof of the “Planar House” in Porto Feliz, a municipality in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, is a radical exercise in horizontality. The house is also an aspect that is often explored in the MK27 studio’s projects. Inserted discreetly into the highest point of the environment and favored by the existing topography, its presence is most noticeable in the base area instead of volumetrically. The architectural construction project is accordingly an extensive line in an open landscape.

The perfection of the extraordinary accommodation is achieved above all by the extensive green roof, which imitates the surrounding lawn through and through. With a view of the roof terrace as the fifth wall of the building, the architects have also carefully integrated the solar panels and skylights into this fascinating green roof. This type of insertion on the property required care and attention in the design of the roof. This was also an exercise in the composition and selection of the equipment that the team placed there.

Extensive green roofs as part of the landscape

As mentioned above, the extensive green roof mimics the large pasture around it and also contributes to the thermal comfort in the house. “From a structural point of view, the green roof terrace is a huge concrete slab that is supported directly by pillars that stand on three axes,” explains the main architect of the MK27 studio. But in reality, you don’t have to be an expert in architecture to realize that it’s much more than that.

The wall, which is usually a symbol of division and isolation in this project, appears rather concave and partly convex. It encloses the front yard and creates transparency and protection from the street. The brick structure contributes to a cozy atmosphere and creates light filters with a kinetic effect over the course of the day.

Contrasting room design

For your information, the interior of the bungalow is functionally divided into two parts. The first structure includes service areas and a gym. There is also a large open space for games and movies or television. The second wing houses five parental suites, which are rooms with adjoining bathrooms. The extensive green roof also impresses as it fills the eye, despite its discreet placement, without appearing intrusive.

Furthermore, residents can completely open or close the living rooms, which are located at both ends of the property, depending on their wishes and needs. Logically, this is possible thanks to the generously sized sliding windows. This instantly transforms the house into a richly proportioned terrace with the doors open. Thus it is completely surrounded or even engulfed by the beautiful nature.

Extensive green roofs as a key element of architecture

The same captivating effect can be observed when looking at the flat house from above – in this case, however, the extensive green roof is responsible for it. Structurally, the concrete slab is a rigid platform that is not supported by girders, but directly by the columns, which are modularly distributed in three axes. The cruciform metal columns pay homage to the elegant proportions of Miesian architecture.

The interiors of the exclusive apartment are equipped with low solid wood furniture. The arrangement leaves enough space for free circulation between the furniture and the panels. This peculiarity enhances the natural effect that can already be felt everywhere in the residence. For this reason, the ambience enables individual reading of each individual room. A translucent, multi-colored club chair that hangs from the ceiling immediately attracts attention. This also contrasts with the horizontal of the house.

Impressive exterior design thanks to extensive green roofs and masonry

Around the rigid formal distribution there is a vertical wall made of solid bricks arranged in solids and cavities. Paradoxically, the masonry defines different connections between the inner and outer spaces.

In addition, the openwork wall contributes to this airy and relaxed result. In the picture above, you can admire the remarkable structure as well as the fuzzy wavy shape. The latter also reduces the overall context and contrasts nicely with the rectangular shape of the green roof terrace.

In this regard, the architects add that the wall is usually a symbol of division and isolation. However, this takes on a new meaning in the context of this project. Due to its texture, the brick contributes to the warm atmosphere and creates light filters with kinetic effects throughout the day. After all, thanks to the adapted lighting, this structural element also shows its potential at night.

Architects website by Studio MK27