After many years of having designed the Fasano Hotel in the Jardins Neighbourhood, we were invited to design the interiors of Fasano’s new mixed-use development in the Itaim region. Recognized worldwide as a family operation offering gastronomy and hospitality at their best, Fasano’s history spans more than 100 years, with locations in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, fazenda boa vista, Angra dos reis and Punta del Este, in Uruguay. This new development, a complex with hotel, bars, restaurants and residential apartments will offer the excellence that has made Fasano a renowned name both in brazil and internationally. The single tower of four suite apartment has its interiors designed by Studio MK27. We strived to keep the identity and heritage of the Fasano brand as we designed this project, located in an increasingly dynamic, youthful neighborhood.

The use of natural materials such as slate shard floors, wooden strip ceiling, and walls covered with walnut panels generate a cozy atmosphere in the apartment. The space is well-lit by a floor-to-ceiling pane of glass joining the living room to the terrace. The opposite wall is covered by a shelving unit and an Armani griz marble fireplace separating the social from the private areas. The double linen and macramé curtains filter and balance the chiaroscuro (use of darkness and light) between the natural light and the dark surfaces of the panels and furniture.

The living room has 3 areas organized by neutral colored rugs which mark off the different activities and moments: one corner for the more intimate fireplace, the true living room and the dining room, connected to the gourmet kitchen. Each layout has floor lamps, sofas and armchairs, side and coffee tables which create a rich dynamic between volumes and textures. Modern pieces of Brazilian design such as the Pétala coffee table by Jorge Zalszupin are mixed with contemporary counterparts such as the dining table by Jader Almeida and the international classics such as Isamo Nogushi’s floor lamp, Finnish architect Alvar Alto’s floor lamp, and the light pendants over the dining table by the American architect George Nelson.

The continuous circulation around the apartment follows the same vibe as the materials and is punctuated by some sculptural sconces. In the bedrooms, the floors are made of wood and the lining is white in order to make them lighter.

The Itaim Bibi neighborhood, in São Paulo, welcomes a new mixed-use development, Fasano Itaim, including a hotel, restaurants and residential apartments. The architecture project, in an area with 5,000 square meters, is signed by firm aflalo/gasperini arquitetos, with interior design by Studio MK27, developed and construction by Even. The entrance to the Fasano hotel is on Pedroso Alvarenga street, while the residential is accessed on Galeno de Revoredo street.

The development introduces Grupo Fasano's first residential unit in São Paulo. With the impressive height of 143 meters, the building has 64 apartments, with 285 square meters each, and the penthouse displays two double units with 500 square meters including a private swimming pool, living and service areas on the first level and bedrooms on the upper level.

The residential building's height provides an exclusive view of the densely green neighborhood of Jardim Europa from every apartment, with a large 22-meter-long balcony. “With this exclusive location, we had the possibility of constructing a residential building with high added value, overlooking Jardim America, which goes as far as Avenida Rebouças, on the other side of 9 de Julho. Therefore, it was decided that the building should start at the highest possible point, and the first floors were built on the high podium. Thus, the tower would be higher than the smaller buildings on avenue 9 de julho", added Luiz Felipe Aflalo Herman, directing partner at aflalo/gasperini arquitetos.

The hotel's building is 75-meters high, with 107 rooms ranging from 30 to 190 square meters, on 18 floors. In addition to the hotel rooms, this building also has the hotel leisure areas with an infinity pool and solarium on the top floor, providing a panoramic view of the neighborhood. On the residential building, the leisure areas are located on the base level, 15 meters up from street level, with a tree-top view overlooking Jardim Europa.

The challenge in the architecture project was to qualify the narrow side of Galeno de Revoredo street, parallel to the foundation, creating a pleasant, wooded boulevard with the entrance on Pedroso Alvarenga street. “To create an important access to the building and provide bedrooms with broader views, we significantly widened the street, which was previously only 5-meters wide," said Luiz Felipe.

According to Luiz Felipe, the urban plan of São Paulo includes interesting incentives for the areas of tourism, residentials and mixed-use. This allows for diversity of use and adds vitality to the space, making it attractive by day and by night. “During the day, the hotel attracts movement, and during mornings and evenings, the residential plays this part. This flow brings security to people living in this new urban environment”, added Grazzieli Gomes Rocha, directing partner at the firm.

The project's architectural language was developed with simple volumes and natural, elegant materials. The development's vertical volumes explore the use of slated concrete, the aluminum finish in corte steel marks a 120-meter-high vertical element superimposed to a horizontal volume at the base, covered with bricks, recovering the visual identity of the first Fasano hotel. On the ground floor, without fences, the clear glass closure visually integrates the inside to the outside, with a beautiful green area.

“We seek to create a minimalist architecture, using few materials and choosing them elegantly, so that the shape of the building displays a unique aesthetic. For us, it is important to consider how the building will age and interact with the city. We want out building to age gracefully, therefore we avoid fads. It is essential that buildings are durable, but also a quality contribution to the city, modifying the look and enhancing the neighborhood”, noted Luiz Felipe.

Team:
Architect: aflalo/gasperini arquitetos
Interior Design: Studio MK27
Photography: Pedro Mascaro

Material Used:
1. Acoustics: Harmonia Acustica
2. Air-conditioning, acclimatizing and pressurization : Willem Scheepmaker & Assoc. Ltda.
3. Automation and control: Apply and Solve
4. Windows: EC Engenharia
5. Electrical, hydraulics and fireproofing: SPHE Engenharia de Instalações
6. Concrete Structure: Avila Engeharia 
7. Metal Structure: Baltec Engenharia
8. Foundations: Consultrix Engenheiros Associados Ltda.
9. Lighting: Studio IX
10. Sealing: Addor
11. Perspective: Neorama
12. Model: Fogassa
13. Accessibility: Arpa Arquitetura e Acessibilidade