Lemarchi Arquitetura office signs the Tulum project, an urban oasis developed for a São Paulo designer
Inspired by the contemporary hotels in Tulum, Mexico, the duplex penthouse designed by architect Letícia Marchizelli reflects the welcoming atmosphere of this destination, with cozy and inviting spaces, combining functionality and style that transform it into a true modern refuge. Located in the Perdizes region, the 80m² apartment developed for a Havaianas fashion designer, features a palette of soft colors and natural elements that convey calm and serenity, a reflection of her identity and a source of inspiration for her creations.
The work arose from the power of social networks, which increasingly connects people, opportunities and partnerships. During a visit by the architect to a furniture store in São Paulo, she shared the experience on Instagram. The client, who followed the brand, saw the post and decided to visit the architect's page. And what was supposed to be a casual post turned into a professional opportunity, as well as a great friendship.
The duplex was old and the layout had already been modified by the previous resident, who at the time had purchased the apartment below, transforming it into a triplex. It was necessary to carry out a complete renovation, resolving structural and closing issues. Relocating the staircase to its origin was a very important starting point for the two floors, which also involved reinforcing the access slab. The lining was also larger than necessary and was reduced.
The first floor had a kind of “tooth”, a small step that the previous resident had placed, and this contributed to making the ceiling height smaller. Letícia chose to remove it to level the spaces and give a feeling of spaciousness. And to offer greater integration and create a cozy atmosphere, we chose to use a single floor throughout the floor, Battuto SGR Nat porcelain tile, from Portinari, which also covered the edge of the pool, previously covered by a wooden deck.
The kitchen, which was very small and closed, was integrated to expand the spaces and make them even more fluid. The dining bench next to the island brought functionality and practicality, in addition to promoting interaction from all corners. And the round stand was highlighted with the Marrakesh Off White BR tile, from Decortiles, which has a wet look and gives a SPA feel. The door to the balcony was changed so that it could run to both sides.
All the electrical and hydraulic parts were replaced, in addition to the frames, which were very old and stuck. The room was lit with two LED profiles that cross its ends. In the curved part, where the structural beams of the upstairs are located, some spotlights were used to provide a more decorative light. The two pendants on top of the counter added charm and beauty to the space.
To add a pop of color to the room, the client chose to maintain the mustard color of her sofa, which was renovated to be closer to the model presented in the project. A special piece that makes up the space is the painting by artist Shepard Fairey, one of the main references of contemporary street art in the United States, which he received from his brother, signed by the artist. Another very special affectionate piece is the armchair that was developed by his own father, a curious engineer who loves to take risks. The client had commented to him that she really liked a model she saw in a store, so to surprise him, she designed a remake, and together with the family carpenter, she produced it.
On the upper floor, the curved roof of the structural part is the original of the building, as are the balcony facades, which also follow this pattern. However, the previous resident had built a straight ceiling on this floor to reduce the ceiling height. So the idea here was to take on this curvature once and for all, making the space even more spacious and cozy. The closet cabinet could be extended to the ceiling and the spaces gained pendant lamps. The headboard of the bed had to be created with more depth, to make it straight, since the curvature of the wall starts from below.
The floor covering was completely changed, following the unit planning on the floor, and received a woody laminate from Eucafloor, Click New Elegance Veneto. The old bathroom was huge and didn't make much sense to the client. The space was reduced and gained a new covering, Confete Ceusa porcelain. The project still had a bathtub inside the room that was not of interest, so it was removed, freeing up more space for circulation.
But the biggest complexity was changing the glass in the room, due to its size, curvature and material, a type of polycarbonate that inhibited the entry of light. The solution was to create a larger sliding window, which, like the door downstairs, had 5 leaves and ran on both sides, standardizing the openings on the facade. The curved structure was maintained, but instead of polycarbonate, thermally protected glass was used.
And the arrangement of the work table facing the window was strategically designed to take in the view of the city and the pool, in addition to the natural light that radiates even more comfort. One of the client's main requests was that the work environment be special, with ample space to have a sewing machine for testing fabrics, a work table for creating drawings, a computer table, as well as support space, mannequin etc.
The final touch was the arrangement of the surfboard fixed to the wall of the stairs. In addition to being a stylist, the client loves surfing, and wanted her apartment to also reflect this beach vibe of her personality.
Team:
Architect: Lemarchi Arquitetura Office – Architect Letícia Marchizelli
Photographer: Renata Freitas
