SUMMARY:
Located in a 1970s building, the apartment had an outdated layout that didn't make sense for the future residents, Carolina, architect from Angá, and Pedro, furniture designer from Estúdio Pedro Luna. Additionally, the more classic style of the apartment, with dark wood floors and plaster ceilings, didn't reflect the couple's personalities and design style. The approach was a monolithic and colorful terracotta floor, white walls, and exposed slab. We sought a neutral base where furniture and decor pieces could stand out. Since the floor was a key point in the project, we aimed to showcase it as much as possible: furniture elevated from the ground and vegetation spread across the ceiling via metal shelves.
BRIEFING:
Situated in an old building from the 1970s, the apartment had an outdated layout that didn't suit the residents: closed kitchen, service room, and three bedrooms. Furthermore, the apartment's more classic style, with dark wood floors and plaster ceilings, didn't reflect their personalities.
CHALLENGES:
The main challenge was to create a layout that suited us and maximized the use of existing structures. Gas and water points were preserved to reduce construction costs. Additionally, since the slab was exposed, distributing ceiling lighting points was also challenging.
SOLUTIONS:
The hallway, kitchen, and one bedroom were opened to the living room, creating a spacious and integrated space. A green tunnel marks the hallway, and the zoning of uses is done through furniture. An island sofa delineates the living area and TV room; and the dining table separates the kitchen from the living room. A brick half-wall extends through the dining and living room, serving as support for decoration objects. The bricks came from demolishing a wall in Carolina's brother's apartment (a project happening parallel to theirs). Since they came out intact, we loaded them into the car and used them in this project. And, to finish it off, a wooden shelf made from the old apartment floor was placed on top of the half-wall.
The kitchen has a functional layout, with a large island for cooking and stools for quick meals. Appliances such as refrigerator, stove, hood, toaster oven, and microwave are hidden on the right side. The idea was to have a clean view of the kitchen from the living room, only with cabinets. The kitchen gained color with the green quartzite del mare countertop, while white unfolds in various textures: natural wood stained white on the cabinets and the countertop's background covered in hydraulic tile.
The cabinet handles were designed by us and made of laser-cut metal sheet with green electrostatic paint. The refrigerator volume doesn't reach the ceiling, and a planter was created above it. The playful access to water the plants is through a metal sailor ladder.
To create alignment with the bathroom volume, we used mirrors that reflect the exposed slab, giving the sensation that this volume is also detached from the ceiling. Lighting was solved through metal shelves. Sometimes with directional spots, sometimes with LED strips that illuminate the slab. We aimed to create a more intimate atmosphere but with different scene possibilities.
For the dining and kitchen areas, which demanded a stronger solution, a folded sheet metal luminaire was designed, connecting to the shelves. The long cantilevered volume appears to be floating. The central lighting points of the slab that weren't used were given a round brass mirror.
The shelves, besides solving the lighting, serve as support for production and plant support. Since we wanted to keep the floor free while also loving plants, we chose to hang them: metal hooks with magnets support the pothos and yellow philodendrons, making it easy to change their positions as they grow.
Finally, the folds of the shelves also function as a curtain rod for the living room roll-ons. The apartment's furniture alternates between new and family pieces, items from Estúdio Pedro Luna's line, and unique pieces made by Pedro from fallen trees' wood, such as the coffee table and dining table.
The living room has a square layout consisting of two sofas, an armchair, bench, and a coffee table, creating a cozy conversation area. A rectangular table, with a wooden top and metal legs, complements the dining area with 6 green chairs, alternating between three different models: enxada chair, gravatá, and pedrita. The first bedroom, which was opened to the living room, became a TV room.
A deep built-in wardrobe was replaced by a wood-veneered niche that serves as both a bar and space for the turntable and record collection. Additionally, all the television infrastructure is located in this niche, eliminating the need for a TV stand. The Frame TV, when turned off, functions as a picture frame, and below it is the couple's stool collection. As mentioned above, the Move island sofa from Líder Interiores divides the living room and TV. With foldable backs, it functions as a chaise for watching movies.
The second bedroom was transformed into an office. We utilized existing cabinets and created a desk that would serve the couple, as both work from home. We veneered the shelves of the existing niche to add charm to the all-white cabinet and complement the new desk. A green futon sofa adds color to the environment and serves as a guest bed.
The powder room also serves as the guest bedroom's bathroom. We changed the sink's position so that it would be seen front-on upon entering. We used the same stone as the kitchen, quartzite del mare, which complements the green hydraulic tile floor. The other existing fixtures were maximized, only changing ceramics and metals. Spacious and minimalist was our desire for the master suite.
For this, we demolished the old closet and, to create the new one, turned the service room access into the suite. We designed bedside tables following the same clean language as the office, and on one side, they turn into a vanity. The headboard was also made with demolition bricks that extend across the bedroom wall. The bathroom gained a blue hydraulic tile floor and a smaller countertop than before, making room for a planter.
Finally, the service area, besides housing the usual (sink, washing machine, etc.), has a workshop, useful for small adjustments to the designer's pieces. The low cabinet serves as storage for tools and cleaning products, and to make the space more spacious, we opted not to have tall cabinets: brooms and shovels are stored in a large drawer under the cabinet.
