A Masterpiece of Modernist Architecture
Casa Kohn
Quito, Ecuador — Est. 1951
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"An impressively preserved masterpiece of elegant mid-century design."
— Vogue"The house that brought modernism to Ecuador."
— Kinfolk
Born in Prague to a German-speaking Jewish family, Karl Kohn trained at the Academy of Fine Arts under the legendary Josef Gočár. Together with his brother Otto, he built an impressive portfolio of work ranging from neo-baroque villas to pioneering functionalist designs for Central Europe's most discerning clients.
In 1939, fleeing Nazi persecution, Kohn and twenty-three members of his family emigrated to Ecuador. What began as exile became a remarkable second chapter: Kohn would go on to design over 105 buildings across Ecuador, fundamentally shaping the nation's modernist architectural identity.
Casa Kohn, built in 1951 as the family residence, represents the culmination of his artistic vision—a harmonious fusion of European modernist rigor and Ecuadorian sensibility, where architecture and nature exist as one organic whole.
"An exquisite time capsule of Czech modernism, with hints of Adolf Loos and Josef Frank tempered with tropical influences."
Read Article →"The award-winning building was the most modern structure in the country with smart built-in furniture, a glazed conservatory, and wrought iron details."
Read Article →"A rare fusion of European modernist rigor and Ecuadorian sensibility."
Zuzana Güllendi-CimprichováTucked away down the side streets off the busy Avenida 12 de Octubre, Casa Kohn sits in the heart of Quito's vibrant La Floresta neighborhood—a district that has become known as the city's creative and cultural hub.
Quito itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a fascinating blend of colonial grandeur and contemporary energy, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes at an elevation of 2,850 meters.
Neighborhood: La Floresta, Quito
Nearest Landmark: Avenida 12 de Octubre
Visits: By appointment only
For inquiries about visiting Casa Kohn, press requests, or academic research, please reach out.
bernasconi.kohn@gmail.com