LH | Lima Vari Arquitetos

Kadu Lopes

LH

• Architects

When the owner, an art enthusiast, acquired this 63m² apartment located in São Paulo, Brazil, she already had a few clear ideas for the project: preserve the authenticity of the development, bring color into the spaces, incorporate mosaic tiles, and ensure everyday practicality.
The transformation was led by Brazilian architects Maíra Lima and Lucca Vari, from Lima Vari Arquitetos, who developed a project inspired by the brutalist and iconic architecture of MaxHaus. Without interfering with the original structure, they complemented it with clean-lined elements, subdued materials, and selective color accents. The result is a décor with a contemporary industrial style, a modern atmosphere, and a strong sense of personality.

To improve the apartment's layout, the architects swapped the locations of the bathroom and the walk-in closet, ensuring greater practicality without compromising the integration of the social areas, which remain fluid and connected—aligned with the open architectural concept of MaxHaus. Infrastructure adaptations were also made to allow for indirect lighting, preserving the exposed concrete. The result is a soft light that enhances the original aesthetics while ensuring comfort.
One standout feature is the green wall in the bedroom. Besides its beauty, it creates a strong visual identity and an immersive atmosphere. In the living room, the bold red blinds break the neutral palette with flair, while the original artwork on the TV wall adds exclusivity and warmth.

In the design, dark wood and concrete were combined with materials featuring subtle textures, striking a balance between rusticity and coziness. At the owner's request, mosaic tiles were used in the kitchen and bathroom, evoking nostalgic memories and reinforcing the space's unique identity.
All the furniture, artworks, and objects belonged to the owner, forming a personal curation that adds authenticity to the space.
According to the architects, the main challenge of the project was to balance the strong character of the original architecture with the necessary additions—working with exposed concrete while also creating a cozy and personalized environment.