- Project: K House
- Architect: Mayresse Arquitetura
- Location: Brazil, Gramado
- Year: 2023
- Area: 746 m2
- Photography: Marcelo Donadussi
Overlooking the Valleys of Gramado
Perched on a sloping site with dual street access, K House by Mayresse Arquitetura reimagines contemporary living through the interplay of mass, material, and landscape.
Conceived as a sanctuary for family life, this striking residence unfolds across three levels, its bold geometry expressed in exposed concrete, natural stone, and metal.
The home’s elevated position grants sweeping views over the valleys of Gramado, one of southern Brazil’s most scenic regions — a setting that shaped both its architectural expression and its spatial hierarchy.
Architecture in Layers: Three Volumes, One Vision
K House is defined by three overlapping volumes, stacked and interlocked to navigate the site’s steep topography.
Each layer of the building serves a distinct purpose while maintaining visual continuity and structural balance:
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The lower level anchors the residence, housing a garage, cellar, gym, and entrance hall, discreetly embedded in the terrain.
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The main floor acts as the social heart of the home — an expansive horizontal plane connecting indoor and outdoor life through glass walls, terraces, and water features.
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The upper volume emerges in raw concrete, a sculptural form that contains the private master suite, bathed in light from both the valley and the front façade.
This vertical organization allows the residence to transition gracefully from solid to open, from privacy to panorama.
A Dialogue Between Light, Material, and Privacy
The front façade of K House establishes a dialogue between lightness and protection.
Here, wooden louvers filter sunlight and preserve privacy, creating rhythmic shadows that animate the concrete surfaces throughout the day.
Pedestrian access is framed by a broad, sculptural staircase that ascends to the social floor — a sequence that heightens the sense of arrival.
Inside, a living room, dining area, and gourmet kitchen flow seamlessly toward an outdoor deck, where a cantilevered infinity pool extends into the horizon.
A reflecting pool mirrors the architecture and sky, while a 9-meter metal beam — left exposed — defines the rear façade with structural elegance and visual drama.
Spatial Experience and Emotional Balance
The upper floor is reserved for the owners’ master suite, designed as a tranquil retreat floating above the landscape.
Large openings on both the valley side and the street side invite cross ventilation and daylight, offering dual perspectives — one introspective, one expansive.
Meanwhile, the guest and daughter’s suites, along with an office, are positioned along the main level, maintaining close proximity to social spaces while preserving individual privacy.
The basement level introduces a more grounded experience: a wine cellar and gym are complemented by an entrance hall for those arriving through the garage.
This thoughtful layering of spaces reflects a design philosophy centered on comfort, hierarchy, and fluid transitions.
Material Expression: Strength and Serenity
Materiality is central to the home’s identity.
Exposed concrete forms the structure’s backbone, natural stone grounds the composition, and metal elements introduce rhythm and lightness.
Together, they define a palette that feels both robust and refined — a perfect reflection of Gramado’s rugged landscape and refined lifestyle.
Despite its scale and expressive geometry, K House retains an inviting warmth.
The combination of wood, water, and glass tempers the solidity of concrete, turning what could have been a monumental form into a graceful and livable piece of architecture.
A Contemporary Haven in the Hills
More than a house, K House represents a balance between architecture and nature, structure and emotion.
By embracing the site’s topography and maximizing its panoramic views, Mayresse Arquitetura has created a residence that feels anchored yet airborne, private yet open, powerful yet serene.
