Rio de Janeiro-based firm Bernardes Arquitetura has completed a home topped by a dramatic curved roof that is meant to resemble a bird's wing.
Located atop a hill in Rio, the residence is known as Asa House for its swooping roof shape ? "asa" means "wing" in Portuguese.
The driveway cuts into the ground, dropping off guests at the lower level
The expansive property has a partially sunken lower level, with the main building placed on top, making the most of views across the lush site.
"The house creates a 'harmoniously contrasting' relationship between landscape and architecture through the articulation of partially underground spaces and emerging transparent volumes," Bernardes Arquitetura said in a project description. A dramatic staircase leads visitors up to the main part of the home
The wood and granite-clad residence is accessed via a driveway that drops off guests and residents to a glass-enclosed foyer on the lower level. Here, a dramatic angled wooden staircase leads up to the main part of the house.
"The house's main social and living areas sit on top of this plinth in a volume made of glass and granite, which resembles a pavilion as seen from the garden," explained Bernardes Arquitetura.
On the garden side, the entire facade is comprised of sliding glass panels
The longitudinal home is laid out with separate living and dining rooms, both of which face the property's lush gardens. Full-height sliding glass walls front this en...