Originally featuring a highly segmented layout, the renovation of this São Paulo apartment, orchestrated by StudioVA arquitetos and led by architect Vinicius Almeida, aimed to integrate the main living areas.
In the initial meetings, the client, a single lawyer, requested that the renovation, which followed a previous update just a few years earlier, carried out in phases. The main objective was clear: to remove the walls separating the living rooms and supporting spaces (kitchen and office) to create a visually integrated area with distinct yet partially enclosed atmospheres.
To address this challenge, the project developed in stages, beginning with the bedroom, then moving to the service areas, and finally tackling the more complex social wing. The walls dividing the various rooms removed, resulting in a spacious living area bathed in natural light from the building’s original window glass frames. A continuous axis organizes the four main spaces: the TV room, the living and dining rooms, and the office.
To ensure optimal lighting comfort for movie watching, the new TV room strategically placed at the apartment's edge, featuring a large blank wall for the television and electronic devices. The room has only one door leading to the balcony, allowing for better light control with fabric curtains that partially filter the light or blackout options.
Emphasizing the linearity of the space, a custom-designed Freijó wood slatted sliding door unit blends with the decor while providing storage for the resident's personal items. The decor includes a gray sofa, a coffee table by Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin, a side table by Desmobilia, and a wooden bench for additional seating on occasions with more friends and family – all arranged on a blue-toned hexagonal-patterned rug from Punto e Filo.
Against a neutral backdrop, the resident’s personality and memories showcased through a collection of artwork and items gathered from travels across Brazil and worldwide. On the main wall, paintings by national artists, posters, and objects like a mask and boomerang symbolize the client’s travel memories. Sculptures, ceramics, and glass pieces complete the space, adding to the ambiance.
On the opposite side, the central arrangement of the living and dining areas serves as a connecting point between adjacent spaces (leisure, service, and work). The layout is oriented towards the kitchen, fostering shared moments. This area features the LESS sofa from estudiobola, a pair of existing armchairs, and a wrought iron coffee table. A slender wooden bookshelf delineates the division between the rooms.
A change in flooring finishes delineates the kitchen area. The semi-curved counter, covered at the base with black tiles, provides a space for preparation and quick meals. Integrated with the kitchen, the dining area accommodates up to 10 people.
The physical and visual permeability between the living areas and the office is ensured by the Joaquim screen – a piece awarded to Studio Pedro Galasso – which functions as a green bookshelf, marking the distinction between spaces without completely blocking the view. In the background, the Dots bookshelf by F.Studio provides a backdrop during online meetings and conferences.
The lighting design prioritizes comfort through indirect systems that direct light toward the ceiling. Highlighting the concept of integration throughout the apartment, the master bedroom connected to the suite. The countertop serves as a divider between the two spaces, with a mirror suspended above a glass panel.
In the bedroom, the wooden flooring echoed in the veneer covering the wardrobe doors, while other surfaces are in light tones. On the main wall, a light linen panel with indirect lighting serves as a backdrop for the upholstered bed (LUNA from Casa Pronta Quartos) with bedding from Branco Casa. Additional elements include the Delgadinha chair by Rodrigo Otake and the Vol.02 sideboard designed by Vinicius Almeida.
Location: São Paulo, SP
Project Year: 2021
Completion Year – Phase 01: 2022
Completion Year – Phase 02: 2023
Area: 180m²
Architecture and Interiors: StudioVA Architects
Design team: Vinicius Almeida (leader architect), Jayne Lima (architect), Fanuel Ferdassis (intern)
Lighting: StudioVA Architects
Text/Communication: Matheus Pereira
Photographs: João Paulo Prado
Suppliers: Flooring (Decortiles), Wall Coverings (Decortiles), Stones (S2R), Sanitary Ware and Fixtures (Tramontina; Deca), Carpentry (Star Móveis), Rugs (Punto e Filo), Lighting Fixtures (Lumini; Reka)
