Take a tour around British House - home to Team GB during the Rio Olympics

Have a sneak peek at where our lucky athletes have been staying in Rio during the Olympic Games

We all know what Team GB have been up to on the playing field, but where have our athletes been spending time in-between competitions?

The answer is British House. Located in the centre of Rio at the iconic Parque Lage, it is a celebration of British design and craftsmanship.

british house with fountain and green lawn

(Image credit: TBC)

The house, which is situated directly below Christ the Redeemer, is framed by the elegant botanical gardens of Mata Atlantica and has been a home from home for the athletes, their friends and family to relax in between competitions throughout the Games.

british house with big lawn and trees

(Image credit: TBC)

So why Parque Lage?
It has been under British ownership since the 1840s, when the English landscape architect John Thyndale lived there. You can still see some of his garden designs in the grounds today.

Henrique Lage bought the house from him in the 1920s, where he lived with his opera singer wife, Gabriella Besanzoni. He later had the house remodeled by the Italian architect Mario Vodrel, with interior paintings by Salvador Payols Sabate.

house remodeled by the italian architect mario vodrel

(Image credit: TBC)

And the house is still just as inspiring both inside and out.

open courtyard with arm chair

(Image credit: TBC)

Breathtaking views of Rio surround the property, which has an open courtyard lined with impressive archways and colonnades.

courtyard with grey sofa and coffee table

(Image credit: TBC)

DFS, the official home-ware sponsor for Team GB, has created a limited edition Britannia range especially for British House. A variety of sofas, chairs, armchairs and footstalls were designed to help the athletes rest and recover in the upmost comfort and style, away from the competition arena.

room with floor lamp and grey sofa

(Image credit: TBC)

There is a botanical theme running throughout the house, with accessories such as plants and floral cushions incorporating a touch of the Brazilian rainforest.

Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.