This 130-square-meter apartment is part of a building constructed in the late 1970s and underwent a complete renovation to meet the needs and lifestyle of a couple. Located in São Paulo, Brazil, the residence required a full infrastructure update, as well as a reconfiguration of the floor plan to accommodate new ways of living.
Designed by architects Alexandre Carneiro Sarayedine Testa and Victória Teixeira Herling of AVAA Arquitetura, the project’s approach was based on preserving the original structure, including the exposed concrete beams that reveal the building’s history and establish a dialogue between past and present.
The homeowners are a Portuguese man who chose to make Brazil his home after becoming fascinated by Brazilian culture and a woman who moved to São Paulo in search of the city's vibrant urban lifestyle. Rio and Tunico, the couple’s dogs, also played an important role in defining key decisions throughout the project. Their main desire was to create a contemporary home designed to encourage gathering, connection, and everyday life.
The new layout prioritizes integration. The previously enclosed kitchen was incorporated into the social area and organized around a large island, which became the central element for meal preparation and gatherings with friends and family. Access to the service area is concealed behind a flush door integrated into the dining room’s wood paneling, maintaining the visual continuity of the space and reinforcing the unity of the interior.
The living and dining areas were designed to accommodate multiple ways of using the same space. A double-sided sofa organizes the space between a more relaxed living area and a television zone, while a continuous bench runs throughout the room, encouraging interaction and providing discreet storage solutions.
Materiality plays a fundamental role in shaping the atmosphere of the apartment. Exposed concrete preserves the legibility of the original structure, and natural elements and textures create a warm, tactile foundation. The use of woven straw stands out as an emotional element, referencing the client’s home in Portugal. Walls and ceilings received textured finishes in neutral tones, creating a subtle interplay of light and shadow that envelops the spaces.
The powder room was created by repurposing the existing plumbing shaft from the former service bathroom, which was reconfigured to better suit the apartment’s social dynamics. The countertop in Verde Vitória Régia quartzite, with a manually crafted finish, highlights the expressiveness of the natural stone and its variations. The travertine mosaic flooring combined with green-toned wallpaper reinforces the organic and welcoming atmosphere. As a personal touch, a watercolor painting depicting the client’s family home in Portugal stands out as a meaningful gift from his wife, bringing an additional layer of memory and significance to the space.
The private area was designed to balance comfort and functionality. The master suite was expanded through the incorporation of a generous walk-in closet, featuring light wood cabinetry that creates an elegant contrast with the darker herringbone flooring. Positioned near the window, the vanity takes advantage of natural light and integrates seamlessly into the room’s design. A rectangular ottoman gains prominence through its fabric selection, adding texture to the composition. The bench designed by the firm stands out for its curved shapes and materiality, with upholstery that introduces a subtle touch of color.
The guest suite serves a dual purpose, also functioning as a home office. Versatile by design, the room adapts to different needs and, in everyday life, serves as the special space reserved for Rio and Tunico, the couple’s dogs.
To preserve the original ceiling height, the project avoided extensive ceiling drops and transformed technical constraints into aesthetic solutions through recessed details that organize the lighting in the social areas and circulation spaces. Indirect lighting, with warmer color temperatures and dimmable systems, allows different atmospheres to be created throughout the day. Integrated into the architecture, these design strategies are complemented by a complete infrastructure upgrade, including new plumbing and electrical systems, as well as preparation for home automation, ensuring greater efficiency and safety.
The furniture curation celebrates Brazilian design by combining iconic pieces with elements specially designed for the project. Among them is the dining table created by AVAA Design, reinforcing the integration between the different areas. In the social space, Sérgio Rodrigues’ Moleca armchair is one of the main highlights, representing a long-held desire of the clients that has now become a striking presence within the composition. The piece is accompanied by works by Gustavo Bittencourt, Jader Almeida, Estúdio Orth, and Mel Kawahara.
