Set on one of the most distinctive sites in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, Epitácio overlooks Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, making its surroundings a central element of the project. Designed by Cité Arquitetura, the residential building translates a contemplative and fluid atmosphere into architecture, inspired by the passage of time and a sensitive relationship with the natural landscape.
The idea that “the home is an everyday temple” served as the project’s conceptual synthesis. The architecture was conceived to enhance the hours spent at home, with particular attention to the play of light and shadow throughout the day. The wooden slatted ceiling covering the generous balconies acts as a sundial, marking the passage of time through light. This interplay of shadows becomes part of everyday life, evoking the memory of natural elements and the rhythm of the day.
Epitácio’s floor plan was designed to strengthen the relationship between indoors and outdoors. The expansive balcony, with a four-meter cantilever and multiple possibilities for use, connects seamlessly to the living room through sliding glass doors that can be fully opened toward the view of the Lagoa. This transparency creates a direct connection with the landscape while enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
“The movement of clouds reflected on the water, the wind through the leaves, and the sun setting behind the mountainous landscape are fundamental elements of the project,” says architect Celso Rayol.
The building’s location on a narrow site, with its rear facing the slope of Mirante do Sacopã, presented a particular architectural challenge. An abandoned building already stood on the site, and its existing structure was incorporated into the new project. The introduction of a central prism, created by shifting the private and social areas in relation to one another, ensures cross ventilation throughout every apartment, promoting thermal comfort and quality of life.
The project embraces simplicity and a restrained use of materials. Its palette favors earthy tones and wood textures, reinforcing a sense of warmth and continuity with the surrounding natural environment. The entrance to the building, set discreetly toward the rear of the site, allows the volume of the cantilevered balconies to take center stage, becoming particularly expressive as sunlight moves across the façade throughout the day. Inside the lobby, hydraulic tiles cover both the floor and walls. Their pattern, designed by Cité, evokes the movement of the Lagoa’s waters.
Epitácio 3714 is part of the Cité 360° portfolio, Cité’s designation for projects conceived entirely by the studio — from architecture and interiors to visual identity. It represents the integrated approach that guides Cité’s practice, bringing form, function, and language together within a unified narrative.
Authors: Celso Rayol e Fernando Costa
