Wave House

Wave House perches above the Atlantic Ocean on a granite monolith between Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. The narrow plot faces south, and the design strategy was to extend the climatic boundary of the house onto the massive rock walls on both sides, dissolving the walls themselves in order to open broad ocean views, as if on board a ship. The residence is transparent on both sides, framed only by sky, sea and the waves breaking on the rocks below. An undulating roof echoes the surging ocean and accommodates adjustable glass openings that control light and air; operable glass panels can be set according to prevailing wind, sun angle and temperature to keep the interior at its best. The contractor was Laer Engenharia, with landscape by Vistara Paisagismo (Marita Adania and Rafael Pretti). Designed by Mareines Arquitetura, the house is a coastal residence in Rio de Janeiro that treats the ocean as its primary room.