The “Relicário” Apartment was designed to become the new home of a couple returning to Brazil after decades of living abroad. The main challenge was to expand the social areas of the home and reflect not only the couple’s welcoming spirit but also their strong personalities. To achieve this, their extensive collection of Brazilian and Latin American folk art was considered throughout the design process, becoming a central element in shaping the aesthetic of the spaces.
Located in one of Brasília’s first superquadras, the 1960s building is notable for its basic 3.5-meter module, which allows for a mix of 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units within a single block. The original floor plan of this 4-bedroom apartment already featured a generous double-module living room (7 meters), which was further expanded during the renovation by incorporating a dining module and a bedroom module, totaling 14 linear meters of living space.
This large room, structured by the rhythm of the original building frame, now accommodates two living areas, a dining room, and a TV room in sequence — creating a spacious setting for social gatherings with friends and family. The kitchen can be integrated into this area through sliding steel-framed doors with wired glass, enhancing the open and communal feel.
The building’s original structure was revealed during demolition, and the exposed concrete now plays a defining role in the apartment’s material palette. This structure was complemented with solid brick partitions, used to frame and support furniture and display the couple’s artwork. A custom shelving unit was also designed, following the same rhythm and modulation as the building’s façade, serving as a backdrop for colorful pieces from Central and South America.
In harmony with this collection, the apartment’s bathrooms feature a vibrant palette of orange, green, and red, with ceramic mosaic floors. The bold color choices, wall textures, and carefully selected objects give depth and richness to the space, expressing the unique and authentic essence of the residents.
