Apto Nattur

Julia Novoa

• Architects

Creating an apartment that was both functional and full of soul was the starting point for the new home of Milena, Rodrigo, and their daughter Ninoca. The couple, who love to cook and are deeply connected to sustainable practices, were looking for a space that reflected their family routine while preserving the atmosphere of the apartment where they had lived before. The taquinho wood flooring, for example, was a non-negotiable request—not just for its aesthetic value, but as an extension of the emotional memory of their first home.

Delivered as a bare concrete shell, the apartment was completely redesigned to meet the family’s needs. The most striking decision was to reverse the original layout: instead of assigning the bright balcony to the laundry area, this space was preserved as an integrated living and social area. The kitchen was relocated to the former service area, allowing for a separate and functional laundry room without compromising the flow of the social spaces.

The project also expanded the couple’s suite, now with a generous closet and bathroom, and transformed the former powder room into an intimate library with a workspace for Milena. Rodrigo, in turn, gained his own “bunker”: a quiet home office equipped with shelving for books, games, and collectibles, connected to the living room through an opening that maintains a sense of closeness to the family even during moments of focus.

Materials and lighting reinforce the warm atmosphere. The wooden flooring brings warmth to the spaces and recalls the memory of the former home, while light-toned finishes and functional cabinetry add a contemporary lightness. During the day, natural light flows through the rooms via large openings, and at night, soft, diffused lighting creates more intimate settings—perfect for family movie nights or yoga practice on the balcony, where an altar dedicated to Ganesha also rests.

More than a renovation, this apartment reflects the search for a home with soul, where every detail was designed to unite memory, functionality, and affection in a single space.