MiCasa Vol.C / Studio MK27

Architects: Marcio Tanaka, Studio MK27 – Marcio Kogan
Area: 230 m²
Year: 2018
Photographer: Courtesy of Studio MK27
Manufacturers: Rothoblaas, Carpinteria estruturas de madeira, Hunter Douglas, brigato esquadrias, idarti, sertec soluções personalizadas
Project Team: Carlos Costa, Diana Radomysler, Laura Guedes, Mariana Ruzante, Mariana Simas, Oswaldo Pessano, Raquel Reznicek, Renata Furlanetto, Samanta Cafardo, Tamara Lichtenstein
Structural Analysis – Wood: Carpinteria Estruturas de Madeira – Eng. Alan Dias
Structural Analysis – Metal: GDPE Projetos Estruturais
Structural Analysis – Concrete: GDPE Projetos Estruturais
MEP: Zamaro Projetos De Instalações
Foundation: Apoio Assessoria e Projeto De Fundações
Air Conditioning: Thermoplan Engenharia Térmica
Contractor: All’e Engenharia – Eng. Luis Esteves, Eng. Edson Kimura, Eng. Silvio Lopes
City: São Paulo
Country: Brazil

MiCasa Vol.C, designed by Studio MK27, is a multifunctional pavilion that completes the MiCasa furniture store complex in São Paulo, alongside Vol.A and the 2007 Vol.B annex. Created to support various uses such as a shop, exhibition space, or temporary residence for artists, Vol.C features a 15x15m floor plan with a 7.5m ceiling height, accentuated by an Isamu Noguchi pendant lamp that emphasizes the space’s verticality. Constructed with a glued laminated timber structural system, Vol.C showcases Studio MK27’s ongoing research into wood construction for a clean, efficient build. The building’s exterior combines translucent polycarbonate and white metal panels, creating a dynamic play of light and shadows from nearby trees, contrasting with the straightforward metal structure of Vol.A and the brutalist concrete of Vol.B.

MiCasa Vol.C is an open space that completes the MiCasa furniture store complex in São Paulo. The complex includes the original store, Vol.A, the annex Vol.B designed by Studio MK27 in 2007, and the new addition, Vol.C.

The need for a flexible program resulted in the creation of an internal space designed for multiple uses, such as a shop, exhibition area, or temporary residence for invited artists, complete with a caravan that can fit inside. The space features a 15x15m floor plan and a 7.5m ceiling height, highlighted by an Isamu Noguchi pendant lamp that accentuates the space’s double symmetry and vertical dimension.

To construct the lightweight pavilion, the studio utilized a wood structural system, aligning with Studio MK27’s ongoing research into timber construction, which allows for a clean and rapid build.

The structure comprises a series of glued laminated timber frames that span nearly 15 meters, with steel rods used for bracing every two modules at the upper level. A substructure supports the building’s façade, creating a gap between the cladding and the pillars, which highlights the rhythm and simplicity of the wooden components. In contrast to the straight metal structure of Vol.A and the exposed brutalist concrete of Vol.B, Vol.C appears to float gently above the ground, resembling a Japanese lantern. The building’s exterior is made of folded sheets combining two materials: translucent polycarbonate on the upper half and white metal panels on the lower half. During the day, shadows from the surrounding trees are cast onto the façade, infusing the interior space with the poetic interplay of light and nature.