The 405m² apartment is located in a gated community at Praia Brava Norte, in the city of Itajaí, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and is designed by architect Simara Mello. The project was developed for a couple of clients who were already served by the office, and the relationship between them is characterized by affinity and harmony.
The main requests were related to the comfort and practicality of the home, including the need for a well-positioned office between the living room and the wine cellar. The client also requested a kitchen with a large work island and built-in appliances in an internal countertop, which was completed with a retractable door for greater practicality in daily use.
The clients greatly value their home and the comfort of being at home. The project was inspired by an environment that prioritizes natural light, with bright spaces where the residents can work from home and enjoy the view and the surrounding area. Every detail was thought out to provide warmth and functionality, integrating living areas, workspaces, and the wine cellar, which is connected to the apartment’s social area.
The highlight of the project is the use of natural materials and their unique application throughout the apartment. The Travertino Romano stone is present throughout the space, from the floors to the furniture and wall cladding, while natural oak wood is present in all areas. The choice of these materials, along with a neutral color palette, reinforces a sense of tranquility and well-being, turning the home into a comfortable and inviting refuge for the residents.
The project also reflects the passions and needs of the couple, who travel frequently and have wine as a hobby, dedicating themselves to research for their personal collection. A living space was designed facing the sea, ideal for conversations and toasts, with comfortable chairs from Etel, such as the Verônica Armchair and the Lenço Table, both designed by Jorge Zalszupin, in addition to other pieces of furniture from the couple's personal collection.
The apartment is fully automated, allowing for better control of lighting and ambient sound. Originally, the apartment's layout had very spacious areas, but the office made some changes, such as dividing the closet of the couple's suite and creating a wine cellar integrated with the office corridor. One of the suites was modified to make room for the open office that connects to the corridor, and a guest bathroom was added to the social area. Additionally, all the doors were enlarged to increase the lighting of the spaces.
The office began this project five years ago and was responsible for the entire internal work, which remained on hold for three years until the decisions regarding the finishes and furnishings were resumed, close to the clients' moving-in date. When the project was resumed, some ideas had changed, and a period of research was necessary, both for the clients and the office, to find what would best meet the desired outcome. The choice of Travertino Romano stone was a decision made during this second phase. Used in all environments and recalling the sand tone of the beach, it was a collaborative decision, leaving both the clients and the office highly satisfied with the result.
