Owner/family profile (information provided in your office briefing at the time of project development).
Profile: Couple with 3 teenage sons.
They wanted a contemporary and fluid apartment that would enhance the 360-degree view. They also wanted a gourmet kitchen separate from the main kitchen and a space for a barbecue. The program should have a master suite with master and lady bathrooms, a large closet and 3 more suites for the children. Another request was a space that was a kind of breathing space, a place for decompression that was located on the balcony of the master suite.
What were the owner's requests and expectations for the project and how were they met?
The balcony of the couple's bedroom became a decompression space with a water mirror that has a waterfall that brings the sound of water. In this space we also have plants, lots of wood and a touch of color in the Patricia Urquiola armchairs.
Enhance the 360 degree view and especially the Villa Lobos park. That's why the layout of the apartment was created with a dynamic approach so that the view could be enjoyed as much as possible. This can be seen in the arrangement of the rooms and furniture and the joinery solutions around the windows.
Is it construction, renovation or interior design renovation? If it was a renovation, what was the internal distribution of the property like afterwards?
Complete renovation and decoration. The work took one year and six months.
Main points:
• Demolition of the existing staircase to build a new staircase.
• Pantry, cupboard and lunch room were integrated to create a gourmet kitchen.
• TV room + winter terrace were integrated to create a barbecue space.
• The master suite had its layout completely modified to meet the necessary programs.
• Double terrace was transformed into a decompression space.
Was it necessary to change electrical, hydraulic material, etc.? Specify the details and reasons.
Yes, 100% renovation to accommodate all new equipment.
What is the inspiration and conception of the project?
The inspiration came from a mix of national and international, contemporary and modern references. The search was for fluid and cozy spaces that could well accommodate a decor that would mix the Brazilian design of more elegant pieces by Jorge Zalszupin and Sergio Rodrigues, with the contemporary international design of designers such as Patricia Urquiola and Paola Lenti.
Is there a starting point that you consider to be the key to the project?
The starting point for the project was working on the various beams and pillars that divided the spaces. In this sense, the choice was to work with niches, ceilings, pergolas and carpentry panels that would frame these structural elements in order to minimize their interference in the integration of environments. The idea was to bring a contemporary and cozy feel worked on top of a plan that was very segmented by structural elements.
Did you have any difficulties? What were the solutions found?
Some setbacks in the work end up becoming interesting solutions. During the demolition phase, we discovered an additional section of beam that was not included in the plan, requiring some adaptations to the joinery design of the living room's shelves, which gave way to grilles above the niches. We also had to adapt the project of the reflecting pool due to load issues. Previously, a small pool was planned but it ended up just being a reflecting pool with a waterfall.
What factors were analyzed when choosing covering materials? What materials stand out? Are there any ecological or technological materials that deserve to be detailed?
The material that stands out the most is undoubtedly wood. She is in every room in the apartment. It is an American oak with a special stain developed together with Prime Marcenaria, especially for this project. Several samples and prototypes were made to arrive at the ideal tone and correct layout for the ceiling slats. It matches perfectly with the travertine marble floor and the decoration proposed for the project.
Description of each environment (concept, materials used, etc.).
General Aspect of interior architecture:
The general ceiling height of the social part with slatted wooden lining was 2.80m. The idea of covering the social part in wood with shelves and panels allowed for the absence of pictures hanging on the walls, which were replaced by objects and books on the shelves, and design pieces such as Tom Dixon lamps in the dining room, another by Harbor design 2017 in the bathroom and another by Serge Mouille in the barbecue area. There are no empty walls, but at the same time there are no paintings, that was on purpose. The staircase itself functions as a sculpture and the built-in handrail with indirect lighting fills the largest wall in the room.
Another important aspect is how the joinery frames the windows, which further enhances the views from the apartment.
Ladder:
The old staircase was demolished. The design of the new staircase has floating steps embedded only on one side of the wall that carries the handrail. The steel tubes help stabilize the ladder and provide safety. The steps are covered in the same material as the floor: Roman travertine marble.
Living room:
The layout of the living room was defined according to the width of the space and also in such a way as not to compromise the circulation of the apartment's entrance. Another important point was the visual integration with the balcony and the view of the park. That's why we decided on a symmetrical sofa layout positioned perpendicular to the apartment entrance and the balcony window, creating fewer visual barriers to the view. The predominant neutral tones of the fabrics of the sofas, rug and pair of Adriana armchairs from Etel help to highlight the darker woods of the Pétala table and the Danish armchair that features a greenish velvet from Quaker. The carpentry porticos with niches cover the beams and pillars so that these structural elements disappear in the architectural ensemble. Another important aspect is the absence of lighting points on the ceiling, all lighting is done indirectly with lights that bounce off the wooden texture, giving a warm and welcoming tone to the environment. The wooden slatted ceiling adds an extra texture to the space, contributing to the welcoming feeling of the space.
Dining room:
As the space is square, it was decided to go with a dark gray round table with an overlapping glass top. The dining chairs are from +55 Design (MAX). The wall lamps are designed by Tom Dixon and the chandelier composition is by Lumini.
Gourmet cuisine:
This space is next to the staircase that leads to the intimate floor. The table with 7 seats is embedded in the island, allowing it to float in the room. The chairs feature a raw tone fabric that matches the Herman Miller chandeliers. The Miele Wine Cellar is covered in the woodwork table of the rest of the kitchen, with only the wines visible. All appliances are built into the carpentry, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher. The idea was to have a second kitchen that was also a living space. The Chairs are from Casual movables (B&B Italia).
TV room:
This environment abuses the use of niches that also help to encompass the smaller windows, giving the sensation of having one large window instead of two smaller windows. The “L” shaped sofa is super comfortable and soft, with 7 seats and is from Atrium. The soft armchair is made of caramel leather that brings a different texture and color to the room. The colorful books in the niches bring a more “fun” look to this room, which has a more laid-back feeling.
Grill:
The old TV room and terrace were unified to create this space. The idea was to have an environment that looked like an outdoor area. A part of the ceiling here is made of glass with a wooden pergola underneath, which brings plenty of natural lighting to the room. That's why we brought the green wall to this space too. The layout has a laid-back feel with a modular sofa, designed by Patrícia Urquiola, the same designer as the colorful chairs at the dining table. The furniture composition is also complemented with a Gray rocking armchair and a Smile armchair, both from Casual Exteriors. This room has two straight heights and was designed in such a way as to hide the concrete beam that divided the room in two.
Balcony:
For the Balcony, we chose to bring pots with shorter plants that would not obstruct the view along the sill, and slightly larger pots in the left corner that somewhat disguise the view of the neighboring building. The higher table was intentional so that you could enjoy the view more fully when you were sitting. The sofa and table are from Tidelli. Jader Almeida stools and the colorful armchair are from Micasa.
Toilet:
The bathroom has the same floor and ceiling as the room with the idea of being a bathroom. Interesting details: the front of the bench is covered in wood, the sconce wall is covered in travertine marble like the floor and the trash can and waste bin are built into the wall, next to the toilet. All lighting is indirect creating a more dramatic setting.
Master Suite:
With a total space of 83m² it has a master bedroom, closet, two bathrooms and a decompression space. The bedroom portion has a king size bed with a linear headboard that throws indirect lighting onto the wood paneling behind the bed. The TV cabinet is suspended and released from the wall so that the pleated curtain passes behind the television. In the corner, the Ipanema armchair by Jorge Zalszupin. The tones are neutral and warm at the same time.
The Window Door gives access to the balcony that has become a decompression space. There we have a water mirror that has a waterfall that brings the sound of falling water. In this space we also have plants, lots of wood and a touch of color in the Patricia Urquiola armchairs. The walls are covered with a slatted wooden panel and the glass ceiling has a pergola underneath. The porcelain on the floor is Portobello.
The bedroom is isolated from the closet and bathroom through a double sliding door. The closet with glass doors is from Ornare. The lady's bathroom opens completely, with a double sliding door, to the closet. In this bathroom we have a mix of wooden lining and plaster lining. The marble is Calacata Paraná, the same marble that is on the top of the closet island.
Intimate Room:
The family room functions as a multifunctional space on the bedroom floor. With a large, very comfortable 3-meter sofa, it faces the television, while the other side has an office space with an organic-shaped table designed by Alexandre Dal Fabbro. With the idea of bringing a more relaxed atmosphere to the environment, we proposed a rug that mixes shades of green from Punto and Filo.
Suite 01 and 02:
They have standard double beds against the wall, bringing more useful space to the rooms. The “L” shaped headboards, one in fabric and the other in woodwork, have indirect lighting. The curtains are in Roman style with the same fabric that covers the walls. The desk chairs are Saarinen's Executive Chair and feature thicker fabrics from Quaker.
Suite:
In the youngest son's room we have a bunk bed where the bottom bed is wider than the top bed. The bunk bed also has a toy chest at one end and the steps function as drawers. The design is from the office itself. To complement the space we have a round rug from by kamy, a green pouf from sta Galante and a Saarinen chair. The wall behind the bunk bed is covered in fabric.
Team:
Architect: Alexandre Dal Fabbro
Photography: Fernando Guerra
Material Used:
List of ALL suppliers
- Prime (woodwork)
- Lammart (construction company)
- Ornare (closet)
- Petramar (marble)
- Enfoque (lighting)
- Portobello (porcelain)
- Deca (metals)
- Docol (metals)
Decor:
- Casual: sofa and sleeve rug, smile armchair, rocking armchair and log table barbecue/chairs gourmet kitchen B&b italia/Atollo lamp living room/desk chair in the family room
- Etel: petal table (living room)/Adrianas armchairs (living room)/Danish armchair (living room)/closet chair/Ipanema armchair double bedroom
- Dpot: soft armchair/mucki bench
- Nani Chinellato: rug
- Micasa: Moroso chairs and armchair (Patricia urquiola)
- Lumini: Dining room chandeliers
- Jader Almeida: Set of balcony bar stools. Side table (living room)
- Atrium: sofá tv room
- Decameron: sofá living room
- Franccino Giardini: barbecue table
- +55 design: armchair Max (Arthur Casas)
- Marché art de vie: production
- Colormix atelier: production
- Olho: production
