Gabled upper floor partly hidden among farmland, as viewed from the road, showcases casa berna hiro arquitectos.

Casa Berna: A Modern Peruvian Retreat with Distinctive Dual Perspectives

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-10-06

Dynamic Design in Calango Valley

In the serene Calango Valley of Cañete, Lima, Peru, Casa Berna stands as a testament to innovative design by Hiro Arquitectos. Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos has created this country house to offer contrasting visual experiences, appearing as a mysterious dark silhouette when viewed from the road, while its garden side reveals an open, inviting space that integrates with lush surroundings through its bright white facade.

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Material Creativity and Local Influence

Casa Berna’s construction features rococho bricks, known for their unique character as overfired rejects from local kilns. These bricks, coated with a lime wash, define the house’s texture and appearance, maintaining a visual coherence both indoors and out. The design by Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos reflects a thoughtful approach to integrating local materials.

Dark, gabled upper floor partly hidden among farmland, viewed from the road.
From the road, the dark, gabled upper floor of this house appears partly hidden among the farmland.
Shaded walkway with white frames and timber poles at Casa Berna's entrance.
Step inside Casa Berna through a shaded walkway of white frames and timber poles, with lime-washed brick, lush planting and a garden view beyond.

An Inviting Entrance

Along a row of white frames and shaded by timber poles, a path of broad concrete steps leads guests to the house. Nestled amid greenery, the entrance offers a harmonious transition from outside to inside, with the lime-washed brick wall providing a rustic appeal, characteristic of casa berna hiro arquitectos.

Shaded walkway with white frames and timber poles at Casa Berna's entrance.
Step inside Casa Berna through a shaded walkway of white frames and timber poles, with lime-washed brick, lush planting and a garden view beyond.
Black-framed windows and ornamental grasses on Casa Berna's white ground floor.
Tall black-framed windows line the white ground floor of Casa Berna in Peru, with ornamental grasses below and a dark upper volume rising behind them.

Garden-Facing Elegance

Casa Berna’s ground floor features a series of sleek, black-framed windows, enhancing the connection between the interior and the lush garden. This design not only accentuates the structure’s modern lines but also blends seamlessly with ornamental grasses planted nearby, showcasing modern architecture elements used by Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos.

Black-framed windows and ornamental grasses on Casa Berna's white ground floor.
Tall black-framed windows line the white ground floor of Casa Berna in Peru, with ornamental grasses below and a dark upper volume rising behind them.
Black-framed windows and ornamental grasses on Casa Berna's white ground floor.
Tall black-framed windows line the white ground floor of Casa Berna in Peru, with ornamental grasses below and a dark upper volume rising behind them.
Backyard with pool, lawn, pergola, and gabled house at Casa Berna.
Explore Casa Berna’s backyard in Peru, where a pool, lawn and covered pergola sit beside a white and dark gabled house, with valley hills beyond.

Outdoor Harmony

The terrace and pool area embody relaxation and hospitality, featuring sliding glass doors that open to a leisure-ready space. A timber and metal pergola, complete with seating and curtains, offers shade, while the landscape of rolling hills serves as an enchanting backdrop, fulfilling the vision of Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos.

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Large internal window and plants marking Casa Berna's entry with kitchen view.
A large internal window and indoor planting mark the entry to Casa Berna, with views through to the kitchen, bar, living area, dining table and kitchen.

Thoughtful Interior Design in Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos

Inside, a large black-framed window connects various spaces, offering glimpses of the kitchen and living areas. The concrete floor and lime-washed walls extend throughout, seamlessly tying together shared areas with warm accents like timber furniture and a suspended fireplace.

Living room with fireplace, tan sofa, and garden view at Casa Berna.
Casa Berna’s living room pairs a suspended black fireplace with a tan sofa, woven rug and timber table, beside sliding doors that look onto the garden.

A distinctive feature is the living room’s central fireplace, suspended between seating and kitchen zones, introducing warmth with a camel-colored sofa and woven rug that counterbalance the minimalist architecture favored by Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos.

Timber dining table and woven chairs near glass doors at Casa Berna.
At Casa Berna, a timber dining table and woven chairs sit beside garden-facing glass doors, with a lime-washed brick wall behind them.
Timber dining table and woven chairs near glass doors at Casa Berna.
At Casa Berna, a timber dining table and woven chairs sit beside garden-facing glass doors, with a lime-washed brick wall behind them.

Gathering and Cooking Spaces

The dining area, positioned between the living room and kitchen, hosts a long table and woven chairs that harmonize with the décor. The nearby kitchen blends wood and white elements, maintaining a bright, airy feel and upholding a visual link to the outdoors, a signature of casa berna hiro arquitectos.

Open kitchen with timber cabinetry, white countertop, and warm bar lighting.
Casa Berna’s open kitchen has timber cabinetry, a white countertop and a gas cooktop, with a warmly lit bar tucked into a nearby recess.

A tucked-away bar, accented with dark shelving and ambient lighting, adds an exclusive touch, easily visible from the entryway.

Staircase with black metal handrail and concrete steps at Casa Berna.
A black metal handrail and timber-edged concrete steps define the staircase at Casa Berna, visible through an internal window beside the entry.

Ascending to Tranquility

Discrete yet inviting, the staircase, hidden behind an entry wall, connects to the upper floor. Its design mirrors the home’s material palette, ensuring continuity between the floors.

Staircase with black metal handrail and concrete steps at Casa Berna.
A black metal handrail and timber-edged concrete steps define the staircase at Casa Berna, visible through an internal window beside the entry.

Quiet, Scenic Bedrooms

Upstairs, the hallway leads to sunlit bedrooms with strategically placed windows that frame the breathtaking valley views. The master bedroom capitalizes on its gabled form, featuring a large window that invites the landscape into the room. This scenic integration is a hallmark of casa berna hiro arquitectos.

Upstairs hallway with green doorframes and tall windows overlooking greenery.
Casa Berna’s upstairs hallway pairs white walls and a concrete floor with pale green doorframes and tall windows overlooking the greenery outside.

The children’s room is thoughtfully designed, offering serene views and practical furnishings that complement the room’s understated style.

Primary bedroom with roofline window and timber headboard at Casa Berna.
Casa Berna’s primary bedroom has a roofline-shaped window overlooking Peru’s valley hills, alongside a slatted timber headboard, open shelves and soft neutral bedding.
Kids' bedroom with tall window, timber bunk bed, and clothes rail at Casa Berna.
A tall window frames greenery and distant hills in Casa Berna’s kids’ bedroom, alongside a timber bunk bed and simple clothes rail.
Bedroom with unmade bed, large window and beige walls in a minimalist setting.

The Architectural Plan

Casa Berna’s architecture unites diverse spaces under one roof. The lower floor focuses on shared living areas adjacent to the garden and pool, while the upper level hosts private quarters and capitalizes on the vistas. Its distinct zoning exemplifies thoughtful spatial design inspired by Casa Berna Hiro Arquitectos.

Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.

Designed by Hiro Arquitectos, Casa Berna blends local craftsmanship with modern architectural techniques, creating a home that is both distinctive and resonant with its natural surroundings, a perfect embodiment of casa berna hiro arquitectos.

Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.
Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.
Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.
Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.
Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.
Architectural plans detailing Casa Berna's layout, including living spaces and gabled floor.
Floor plans, sections and elevations reveal Casa Berna’s layout, from its garden-facing living spaces and pool to the gabled upper floor containing the bedrooms.

Source: contemporist.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Casa Berna’s exterior design?

Casa Berna appears as a mysterious dark silhouette from the road, while its garden side reveals an open, inviting space with a bright white facade.

How does Casa Berna use local materials?

Casa Berna’s construction features rococho bricks, known for their unique character as overfired rejects from local kilns, which are coated with a lime wash that defines the house’s texture and appearance.

What elements highlight Casa Berna’s garden-facing elegance?

The ground floor features sleek, black-framed windows that enhance the connection between the interior and garden, blending modern architecture elements with ornamental grasses.

What design features are in Casa Berna’s bedrooms?

The sunlit bedrooms have windows that frame breathtaking valley views. The master bedroom capitalizes on its gabled form with a large window inviting the landscape into the room.