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    Pascali Semerdjian creates Aurora Apartment to hold “two universes” in Brazil

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    Gut-renovating this São Paulo apartment has allowed Brazilian studio Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos to incorporate the personalities of it occupants, particularly in the bedrooms of the family’s two children.

    The Aurora Apartment is home to a family of four, and sits on a private street in the Alto de Pinheiros neighbourhood to the west of the city.
    Renovating the Aurora Apartment involved opening up the living spacesA total overhaul of the residence was needed to open up its spaces, bring in more light, and incorporate new materials and decor that reflect the owners’ tastes.
    Without complete structural plans of the apartment or building, the demolition process revealed multiple hidden elements.
    The dining room is sometimes used for business meetings and dinnersOnly when the apartment had been fully stripped back to its bare bones was Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos able to design the floor plan to work around the structure.

    “When we saw the remaining columns and slabs, we were able to continue sketching the client’s necessities as well as our ideas onto paper,” said the studio.
    A wall panel opens to reveal a hidden home barOnce the layout was “settled”, the architects began to examine the walls and space volumetrically to discover ways to add interesting design moments that would reveal more about the family.
    “One of the most important things about this project is how every single space, both social and private, has the family personality, with a unique design that results in harmony with the whole,” said Pascali Semerdjian Architects.
    Close to the entrance, a gridded cabinet houses a coat closetThe apartment is divided into a large, open social space that’s occasionally used for hosting business meeting and dinners, and a private area that contains the bedrooms and bathrooms.
    “We wanted to create two universes in the same apartment: an intimate and cozy one, and another minimalist and social,” the studio said.
    Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos has played with volumes and materials throughout the apartmentDark wood panelling lines the entryway, concealing a storage area for keys and shoes, and the same floor-to-ceiling wood panels are used in the corner of the dining room. Here, a hidden door swings open to reveal a bar, and a brass container built into a plastered counter serves as a cooler for bottles.
    Stone flooring in the living area is laid in thin planks to match the pattern of the wooden boards that run through the private spaces.
    Designed during the pandemic, the apartment contains several multifunctional spacesSeveral classic midcentury designs were chosen for the living space, including Jean Prouvé dining chairs and a pair of salmon-coloured Ondine armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin.
    These are mixed in with contemporary furnishings like the Thin Black side tables by Nendo and a leather chaise by Studiopepe.

    Pascali Semerdjian exposes concrete ceiling for São Paulo apartment overhaul

    A variety of furniture and lighting pieces custom-designed by Pascali Semerdjian also feature in the apartment, such as the main sofa, the office chairs, and the bar sconces.
    There’s also a coat closet housed within a gridded cabinet, which is affixed to a mirror and features a cluster of square lights in its top right corner.
    In the home’s private section, the primary bedroom is minimally decoratedIn the private quarters, the primary suite is minimally finished in white and wood surfaces, while the children’s rooms are much more expressive.
    For example, the younger son’s room is designed to resemble a small house, formed from wood panelling that covers the walls and is pitched on the ceiling.
    Natural light floods the primary bedroom when its sliding wooden doors are openedHis bed and a sofa are raised to create space for a “hide-and-seek” tunnel underneath, while the older daughter’s room includes arched white closets.
    “We seek to bring originality to all rooms, with special attention to the children’s room, where we’ve pursued solutions that are close to playful, without exaggeration,” Pascali Semerdjian said.
    The bedroom of the family’s younger son is designed like a houseThe renovation work began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, so special attention was paid to creating multifunctional spaces.
    “The project seeks to balance and bring fluidity between the different possible uses of a house, allowing residents to experience moments together as well as the possibility of having privacy, including the couple,” said the architects.
    The son’s bed and a sofa are raised to accommodate a hide-and-seek tunnel underneathPascali Semerdjian Arquitetos was founded by Domingos Pascali and Sarkis Semerdjian in 2010, and the studio has renovated many apartments across São Paulo.
    They include a residence imbued with a “deeply Brazilian and vividly cosmopolitan” flavour and a home organised around a semi-circular wooden library.
    The photography is by Fran Parente.
    Project credits:
    Project and interiors: Pascali Semerdjian ArchitectsTeam: Sarkis Semerdjian, Domingos Pascali, Ana Luisa Cunha, Fernando SpnolaProduction: VC ArtworkExecution: S Macedo Engenharia

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      Brazilian architects renovate Brigadeiro Apartment for themselves

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      Architect couple Leandro Garcia and Amanda Dalla-Bona have renovated a 1970s apartment in Curitiba, Brazil, for themselves, reconfiguring the layout and choosing eclectic furniture.

      All of the electrics and plumbing needed to be replaced, and the floor plan was rethought to create “a place to pause and retreat”.
      The couple remodelled the apartment to suit their needsThree bedrooms were replaced with two to make room for a larger living and dining area, which could be integrated with the existing kitchen.
      Original features including the window frames and the imbuia parquet floor were retained and restored, while a variety of new materials were introduced.
      The living space with brightened by white walls, large rugs and translucent curtainsThe Brigadeiro Apartment has been in Dalla-Bona’s family since the 1980s – it was her parents’ home as newlyweds and where her older sister was born.

      After moving out when they planned their second child, the parents rented out the 108-square-metre space for 30 years.
      A concrete column was exposed while reconfiguring the floor planDue to its central location, Dalla-Bona always discouraged them from selling it, as she had intentions to move in herself one day.
      When that time came recently, she and her partner Garcia decided to remodel the interiors to better align with their needs.
      The architects custom-designed a 4.5-metre-long dining table for themselves”From the apartment the view is expansive, a rare characteristic in the city centre, and we were both captivated by the natural light, the sun and wind streaming in through the windows,” said the couple.
      “Walking a few blocks, we arrive at our favorite cafes and restaurants and in our studio, where we work together,” they added.
      Removing a bedroom allowed the living space to be opened up to the kitchenTerrazzo countertops and a backsplash of hydraulic tiles were added in the kitchen, while a concrete column in the living room was exposed.
      The remainder of the lounge area is brightened by white walls, textured rugs and translucent curtains.
      Terrazzo countertops and hydraulic tiles were introduced in the kitchenAn assortment of vintage modernist and newer furniture pieces – mostly by Brazilian designers – add colour and character to the interiors.
      Mid-century seating by Percival Lafer, Flavio de Carvalho and Geraldo de Barros are among the couple’s choices, along with a collection of lamps, stools and tables.

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      “In the living room, the furniture – not only the armchairs, but also the carpets, must be soft to sit on the ground – was chosen, thrifted and positioned for conversations and readings,” they said.
      Garcia and Dalla-Bona also custom-designed a 4.5-metre-long wood dining table to accommodate their various daily activities, and host their friends and family for meals.
      A variety of vintage furniture pieces were sourced for the interiorsBesides the cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom, all of the storage and furniture is moveable.
      In the bathroom, the floor and walls are covered in small white mosaic tiles, affixed with matching grout for a clean, minimalist appearance.
      White mosaic tiles and grout create a minimalistic look in the bathroomCuritiba, in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, is the site of several projects completed by Garcia, Dalla-Bona and their team, including the renovation of a compact apartment renovated for a journalist.
      The studio has also overhauled a family’s holiday home near the beach in Matinhos, and filled it with vintage Brazilian furniture.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.

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      Pascali Semerdjian exposes concrete ceiling for São Paulo apartment overhaul

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      São Paulo studio Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos has renovated an apartment in the city for a local family, utilising the furniture, cladding and exposed details to create social spaces that are “deeply Brazilian and vividly cosmopolitan”.

      The family asked Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos to design their home after seeing another apartment the firm had overhauled, which was also featured on Dezeen.
      Brazilian design including an Oscar Niemeyer chaise longue is showcased throughout this renovated apartmentFor the 376-square-metre ER Apartment, the architects divided the layout into two – placing an open social area and guest suite in one half, and the private rooms in the other.
      The social area comprises an expansive, combined dining and living space with access to multiple planted balconies.
      Social spaces including the dining room are lined with pale timber slatsWalls in this area are lined with vertical slats of pale timber, interrupted by panels of jade-coloured onyx that extend out to form side tables next to sofas.

      Behind the onyx wall panel is a hidden hemispherical light fixture, which glows softly through the stone when illuminated.
      In the kitchen, a breakfast bar emerges from a drum-like plaster sinkThe eclectic furniture in the living area ranges from a chaise lounge by Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer, and vintage chairs by Svante Skogh and Kurt Østervig, to a double-sided stool by contemporary Brazilian designer Claudia Moreira Salles.
      “The clients worked with [us] to develop social zones that are both deeply Brazilian and vividly cosmopolitan,” said Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos.
      Plenty of storage was added during the renovation workIn the dining room, a large walnut table is shaped to follow the curves of the walls and is accompanied by a set of Erik Buch chairs.
      A pair of Prop Lights by Dutch designer Bertjan Pot hang from the concrete ceiling, which was exposed during the renovation in this and several other rooms.
      Natural materials are used in the private areas and the building’s concrete ceilings were exposedThis side of the apartment also includes a custom wine cellar and a kitchen where a breakfast bar extends from a drum-like plaster form that incorporates the sink.
      The private half of the home includes the primary suite, bedrooms and a toy room for the daughters, storage space and a shared bathroom.

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      Most of the materials in these spaces are natural, and the clients required “sustainability certificates for every piece of wood used in the renovation” according to the designers.
      “The couple loves object design, just like us, so we took a lot of care and made some special designs for them, so the apartment would be unique and a different experience,” the studio said.
      The apartment includes a toy room for the clients’ daughtersCustom pieces include a trough-like bronze and stone sink in the primary bathroom, a cocktail table in the lounge, and an “almost religious” niche and closet set into the entryway.
      The family’s extensive collection of contemporary Brazilian art is also showcased throughout the home, including works by Ana María Tavares, Gabriela Costa and Matias Mesquita.
      Among the custom elements in the home is a trough-like bronze sink in the primary bathroomIn densely populated São Paulo, apartment living is extremely common and architects often have to get creative to add character to generic spaces.
      Recently completed examples include a duplex penthouse with a sculptural staircase, a home filled with different textures, and a residence where the concrete structure is left fully exposed.
      The photography is by Fran Parente and image production is by Victor Correa.

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      Tria Arquitetura renovates São Paulo penthouse with sculptural staircase

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      A large variety of art and collectible design pieces populate this penthouse apartment in São Paulo, designed by local studio Tria Arquitetura, which also includes a sculptural staircase.

      The renovation of the 960-square-metre Frederic Chopin Apartment was led by architect Marina Cardoso de Almeida of Tria Arquitetura, who reconfigured the layout to make the most of the high ceilings and views.
      A sculptural staircase snakes between the levels of the duplex apartmentThe apartment is split over two floors and is home to an art-loving couple.
      Previously the owners of a large house, the clients chose to move to an apartment for convenience and security, but still wanted their space to feel open and expansive.
      Green furniture and rugs are highlighted against mostly neutral-toned materialsThe primary suite was moved to the upper floor, where the bed could be aligned with a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the cityscape.

      An intimate library was also created on this level, so that the whole floor is dedicated entirely to private space, apart from the patio and pool terrace, where the clients entertain guests.
      The couple’s contemporary art collection draws attention throughout the apartmentTwo employees’ suites were shifted to the lower floor, and a guest suite and home theatre were added in place of the closet.
      Connecting the two levels is a staircase with travertine treads and solid white bannisters, which snakes up a double-height space to appear like a piece of sculpture.
      Slatted wooden panels wrap the elevator block, the fireplace and the wall dividing the main living room from the guest areaThis sets the tone for the rest of the contemporary artworks and materials used throughout the penthouse.
      “The main concept in the choice of finishes and architectural solutions was to bring comfort but still leave a big void so that the works could dress the house,” said Tria Arquitetura.
      Stainless steel in the kitchen matches a wrapped column in the living areaIn the open living and dining area, colourful paintings adorn the walls, and furniture and rugs in shades of green and orange stand out against the otherwise neutral palette.
      “In the living room there were three large main volumes that should be highlighted to bring texture and more cosiness,” Tria Arquitetura said.
      The staircase features solid white bannisters and travertine treadsThese include the elevator block, the fireplace and the wall dividing the main room from the guest area, which are covered in thin vertical slats of veneered natural wood.
      Another column is wrapped in stainless steel to offer a cool, sharp-edged contrast to the wood and other warm tones in the living room.
      The primary bedroom was moved upstairs to face the best viewUpstairs in the library, wide-planked wood flooring is continued up the walls to make the room feel cosy, and provide a backdrop for a series of framed vintage maps.
      “It was only in the library that the architect chose to cover all the walls with the same wood as the floor to give more seriousness and highlight the environment from the others,” the studio said.

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      Updates were also made to the outdoor area, where the pool was reduced in size and re-edged to better integrate it with the landscaping.
      A pair of imitation classical pillars were also demolished, and a wood and glass pergola was added to cover the patio.
      Walls of an intimate library are panelled with the same wood as the floorThroughout the apartment, fully automated systems controlling the air conditioning, lighting, landscaping irrigation, and curtains and blinds were added during the renovation.
      The project took over two years to complete due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
      The project also involved adding a pergola and reducing the pool size on the terraceApartment living is commonplace in densely populated São Paulo, where architects and designers have used their creativity to add character to previously uninspiring spaces.
      Other recently completed examples include a residence by Studio MK27 that features furry upholstery, lace curtains and tactile rugs, and a renovation by Memola Estudio that exposed the building’s concrete structure.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.
      Project credits:
      Lead architect: Marina Cardoso de AlmeidaCreative team: Marina Cardoso de Almeida, Sarah Bonanno, Barbara Castro, Barbara Silva, Virginia CaldasEngineering: Steel ConstruçõesLandscaping: Alex HanazakiLight technician: Carlos FortesAutomation: TaagAir conditioning: Dealtec

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      Gema Arquitetura brings colour to Sallve offices in São Paulo

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      Shades of pink, purple and yellow run through the workspaces that Brazilian studio Gema Arquitetura has designed for skincare brand Sallve in São Paulo.

      Sallve’s offices, studios and labs sit above the company’s inaugural retail space in an existing five-storey building in the city’s Pinheiros neighbourhood.
      Sallve’s offices and studio spaces occupy a five-storey building in PinheirosThe studio transformed 1,500 square metres of space, spread across an elongated floor plan that allowed for a flow to be created between the different levels.
      “Focal points organise and direct the user’s trajectory, in a path that welcomes from the street and leads along the floors,” said Gema Arquitectura, which has offices in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
      Bright colours used in meeting rooms echo the skincare brand’s packagingThese focal points include splashes of bright colour on walls, floors and furniture, immediately visible when entering the building.

      The chosen hues echo those used across Sallve’s product packaging and visual identity to align the space closely with the brand.
      Flexible workspaces are incorporated throughout the building”We immersed ourselves in the brand, its positioning, vibration and sought a language that represented the company in a true, uncomplicated and unique way,” Gema Arquitectura said.
      From the front door, a corridor is lined in glossy bold purple film on one side, and bands of yellow and pink paint on the other.
      Pastel-toned furniture and glass partitions define areas across the different levelsThe ground floor includes areas for greeting guests, flexible meetings, making coffee and product testing.
      Pastel-toned tables and chairs are available for casual working, while further desk space is accessed through a row of bespoke pivoting screens framed in pale yellow.
      On the ground floor, bespoke glass doors pivot to open up the spaceOne level up are Sallve’s laboratories for developing skincare formulas, where the interiors continue the same colour scheme used in a more clinical environment.
      Meeting rooms and creative studios on the upper storeys are demarcated by glass partitions and feature pink and purple carpets.
      The ground floor is used for greeting guests, flexible meetings and making coffeeElsewhere in the building, the carpet was removed to reveal terrazzo floors that were restored. Ductwork and services were left exposed across the concrete ceilings throughout.
      Bathrooms were expanded to be more comfortable, and now include enclosed stalls, benches and large mirrors.

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      On the exterior, the building’s front facade was covered in a wavy metallic veil, while walls that define the property boundaries were painted white.
      Separate entrances to the store and the workspace were clearly defined, and are set back from the street to create a welcoming forecourt.
      Bright purple and yellow line the corridor from the entrance”Intuitively, the building expands into the surroundings, seeking an affective connection with the city and the people,” said Gema Arquitetura.
      “Fluidity and dynamism define the space, in a tailoring of design, building this identity through simple and real connections.”
      The existing building facade was re-clad in a wavy metallic veilOther skincare and wellness brands have similarly used their office interiors to reflect the visual identity of their products, from Goop’s soothing HQ in Santa Monica to Aesop’s “simple and elegant” workspaces in London.
      The photography is by Felco.
      Project credits:
      Architecture: Gema ArquiteturaConstructor: Its InformovResponsible architects: Nara Grossi, Priscila Almeida, Joseana CostaTeam: Giuliana Mora, Renan Merlin, Luiza Langeani

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      AIA Estúdio designs cave-like interior for clothing store in Rio de Janeiro

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      Organic shapes and stone-like surfaces characterise the interior of the Haight clothing store in Rio de Janeiro, which was designed by interior and landscaping design practice AIA Estúdio.

      A large pillar with a rough, textured surface dominates the 110-square-metre shop interior, expanding as it ascends before merging into the ceiling to create a cave-like space.
      A pillar transforms into a cave-like structure”Its height starts small and in the back part it ends higher in a nonlinear form, just like a cave,” AIA Estúdio founder Alice Tepedino told Dezeen.
      “The infinite and diverse processes of erosion that form cliffs, caves, stalactites, sands, stones and the movements of water with its tracks and shapes led to our creative process being part of the concept developed for the store’s spatiality.”
      Stone slabs around the pillar are used to display objectsRather than being a cumbersome obstacle, the pillar helps organise the shop’s circulation and movement of shoppers, according to the studio.

      “It is from the occupation around the pillar that the space fluidity is achieved. This disposition is enhanced by curved lines that define the path inside the store,” said Tepedino.
      Curved stone plates balance on rocksSlabs of soapstone and Bahia beige marble encircle the pillar at different heights and are propped up by Bahia beige marble rocks that create a display surface and a place for shoppers to sit.
      On the perimeter walls, niches with stainless steel bases display Haight’s clothing on brushed-brass rails.

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      The metallic surfaces and straight edges of the niches contrast with the organic shapes and materials in the centre of the shop, which is located in the Shopping Leblon retail centre.
      Tepedino used indirect lighting in the niches to illuminate the space, mimicking cracks in cave walls where sunlight can seep through.
      Clothing is displayed on brushed-brass rails”The exhibition interspace was thought of as a cut in the walls, an operation emphasised by the transition of materiality,” said Tepedino.
      “Inside, there are exhibition racks in brushed brass, which, with their more solar aspect, contribute to subtly warming up the store’s ambience, together with the soapstone and its greyer tone.”
      The bottoms of wall niches are lined with steelTepedino’s design is the first of Haight’s stores to be located inside a shopping centre, which prompted the designer to approach the project in a different way.
      The entrance to the shop is a large opening that provides open access from the shopping centre to the nature-inspired shop interior.
      It is the first Haight store to be located in a mall”The design adopted a contrasting strategy between the store and mall, which, despite the rigid and controlled environment, offers opportunities such as the possibility of not having a door,” said Tepedino.
      “The brand’s conceptual basis is related to natural landscapes but when you are inside the mall, you find a language that is the opposite of Haight’s conceptual basis, with artificial elements and cold materiality.”
      Natural materials and surfaces were used throughout the shop interior”Once you’re inside the store you get disconnected from the artificial atmosphere of the rest of the building,” Tepedino continued.
      The project has been shortlisted in the small retail interiors category of Dezeen Awards 2022, alongside a surfaces showroom in Helsinki with colourful terrazzo-like walls and an oxblood red shop interior with walls decorated with Victorian-style balusters.
      The photography is by Maira Acayaba.

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      Studio MK27 combines different textures in São Paulo apartment interior

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      Furry upholstery, lace curtains and tactile rugs all feature in Flat #6, a São Paulo apartment designed by Studio MK27.

      The local architecture and design studio reworked the four-bedroom flat to provide a cosy but practical home for a couple and their three teenage sons.
      Flat #6 is home to a couple with three teenage sonsIts interior design draws on a love of Brazilian design, both vintage and contemporary, which is shared by both the owners and Studio MK27 founder and architect Marcio Kogan.
      Designs by the likes of Lina Bo Bardi, Jorge Zalszupin and Giuseppe Scapinelli feature alongside ipe wood wall panelling and basalt stone flooring.
      Living spaces occupy an L-shaped space that wraps the apartment on two sides”The decoration adds a layer of tactility to each corner of the apartment,” said Studio MK27.

      “A mixture of contemporary and vintage pieces already owned by the couple blends harmonically with the sober finishings and adds a touch of colour.”
      A piano provides a focal pointFlat #6 is shortlisted in the apartment interior category at the 2022 Dezeen Awards.
      Studio MK27 was commissioned for the project after having already designed another apartment in the same building, Flat #12.
      The two homes have the same layout, with all of the main family living spaces occupying a single L-shaped space that wraps the apartment on two sides.
      Furnishings include a mix of contemporary and vintage piecesThese living spaces create a buffer zone between the private bedrooms and bathrooms, and a glazed veranda-like space at the front.
      However, the design of the two homes is very different. While Flat #12 has a more pared-back feel, Flat #6 features a greater variety of colours and textures.
      Lace curtains create a textural backdrop to the living spaceA key starting point was the lace curtain that spans all the windows in the open-plan family room. Designed by one of the clients, it creates a natural play of light and shadow.
      The curtain provides a striking backdrop to the characterful furnishings, which also include designs by Piero Lissoni and Paola Navone alongside some of Studio MK27’s own pieces.

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      “The perforated artisanal fabric acts like a soft mashrabiya, filtering the sunlight and creating shadow drawings throughout the apartment,” the design team explained, comparing the curtain to the latticework screens found in traditional Islamic architecture.
      “Natural light warms up every piece and every corner, letting the woods, the velvets and the stones speak louder.”
      A library wall provides display space for books and other objectsA library wall provides a space for displaying books and objects, with a free-standing staircase providing access to the higher shelves.
      Other details include a dedicated backgammon table, a study desk and a lounge chair positioned alongside a lamp and magazine rack to create space for quiet reading.
      A slatted wood wall separates the main living space from the rest of the homeDoors to the adjacent bedrooms, the TV room and the main bathroom are integrated into a wall of slatted wood, allowing them to be almost invisible when the family hosts guests.
      The same material palette features in bedrooms and bathrooms, where highlights include a custom bed surround in the primary bedroom and a bathroom with a dark stone basin.
      “Designed with extreme attention to detail, the combination of textures and sharp forms create wide and soulful spaces that embrace a joyful living,” added the design team.
      The main bedroom features a custom-designed bed surroundStudio MK27 is also shortlisted in the leisure and wellness interior category at this year’s Dezeen Awards with its spa at the Patina Maldives resort.
      Other recent projects from the practice include Caza Azul, a rainforest home raised up on pilotis.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.
      Project credits
      Architecture and interiors: Studio MK27Project team: Marcio Kogan, Diana Radomysler, Luciana Antunes, Mariana Ruzante, Carlos Costa, Laura Guedes, Mariana Simas, Renato Perigo

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      Memola Estudio leaves concrete structure exposed for Gale Apartment in São Paulo

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      Balancing natural and industrial materials was a key focus during Brazilian studio Memola Estudio’s renovation of this São Paulo apartment.

      The gut renovation of the Gale Apartment for a couple in the western area of the city involved creating connections between the various rooms and updating it to better match the owners’ “cosmopolitan” tastes.
      Memola Estudio stripped back walls in the apartment to reveal the concrete structureOther goals for the overhaul included highlighting their art collection, creating better connections with views of greenery outside and generally refreshing the atmosphere inside.
      To contrast the wooden floors Memola Estudio removed walls and parts of the ceiling, and stripped back finishes to expose the building’s concrete structure, piping and ductwork.
      A Portuguese mosaic stone wall was painted white in the double-height living areaAmong the partitions demolished was one between the entry hall and the main living space, so that a direct line of sight now connects the two.

      Coming off the elevator in the centre of the apartment, visitors are now offered a view straight through to floor-to-ceiling windows beyond the dining table, and out to the balcony accessed from the lounge.
      Walls were removed to allow views directly from the entryway to the windowsThe dining area was extended to fill in part of the balcony area, forming an extra indoor space for casual seating.
      “Now transformed into a mix of lounge and bar, a low wooden table at its centre and the comfortable armchairs around it invite long conversations,” said the studio of this space.
      Part of the balcony was converted into a bar and seating areaThe more formal seating area is double-height, with the end wall covered in a Portuguese stone mosaic that was repainted white, and another acting as a gallery wall that displays the clients’ contemporary artworks.
      Furniture in this room is mixed and matched in terms of both style and material, but all items carry earthy tones.
      In the kitchen, the ceiling was removed and pharmacy-style cabinets were added”Old and new share neutral hues and the furniture has been reupholstered to match the new color palette, inspired by the autumn and the sunset colors found in the horizon,” Memola Estudio said.
      Particular attention was paid to the usability of the kitchen, where the ceiling was again ripped out and new cabinets and counters were installed.
      Custom, freestanding metal units based on vintage pharmacy counters are placed along one wall, providing an open surface for appliances, as well as cabinet storage above and below.
      In reconfiguring the layout of this corner of the apartment, a wood-topped kitchen island and a pantry were built and a storeroom was formed in part of the old laundry room.
      Another balcony was turned into a TV and music room”The kitchen’s renovation promotes the sharing of experiences around meal preparation and its everyday enjoyment,” said Memola Estudio.
      The home has three bedrooms, all located at the back of the apartment and decorated in neutral shades.
      A neutral colour palette was used to refresh the bedroomsEach has an ensuite bathroom with walls tiled or wood-lined in a slightly different shade of green.
      There’s also a TV room, created within a space that previously functioned as a second balcony, featuring a deep, green sofa and a drum kit beside the window.
      Bathrooms were also updated in different shades of greenMemola Estudio is based in São Paulo, where apartment living is extremely common in the dense urban environment.
      Other renovations in the city that aim to add personality to the interiors include a home enlivened with green tiles, a residence for a fashion designer decorated in vivid hues, and an apartment where exposed pipes are painted in pastels tones.
      The photography is by Fran Parente.

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      Green tiles fill renovated São Paulo apartment by Casulo

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      Green tilework in multiple rooms is contrasted with terracotta plaster at this São Paulo apartment, renovated for a couple by local studio Casulo.

      The 220-square-metre apartment was overhauled for friends of the designers, who made it clear that the space “should not have a minimalist atmosphere”.
      Renovations to the apartment included opening up the kitchen”Shortly after their wedding in early 2020, the couple bought an apartment at a closed-door auction, without knowing the actual status of the property,” Casulo partner Camila Abrahão told Dezeen. “On the first visit, we realised that the state of the apartment did not reflect its profile at all.”
      Therefore, the studio overhauled the interiors, keeping only the positions of the rooms and the wooden floor in the bedroom suite.
      Terracotta plaster was chosen to contrast the areas of greenThe most drastic improvements were made to the kitchen, which was previously subdivided into non-functional spaces including a small balcony with a barbecue.

      Casulo opened up the room to create a large space that integrates the grill, while a series of sliding, fluted glass panels were installed to close off the cooking area as desired.
      Furniture was sourced from various vintage stores in São PauloGreen tiles cover the floor, the sides of the central peninsula and the back wall. In contrast, a terracotta volume begins in the kitchen and wraps around to the entryway, concealing the powder room.
      “Almost all the references brought by [the client] had a green colour,” said Abrahão. “We brought the earth colour to balance and contrast it.”
      The green-tiled bar overlooks a view of the city’s skylineVarious shades of green are also used in the living area for the dining table, sofa and a tiled bar adjacent to the full-height windows that enjoy views of the skyline.
      Flooring in this social space was swapped for black slate, while the remaining walls and a masonry bench that connects to the enclosed balcony were painted white.

      Eight São Paulo apartment renovations that make the most of their Brazilian heritage

      Although re-lacquered, the dining table was the only piece of furniture retained from the original apartment, because it was too heavy and cumbersome to remove.
      “The furniture was almost entirely extracted from antique dealers in the city of São Paulo and we combined these pieces with some of the contemporary design,” Abrahão said.
      The wood floor in the bedroom was one of the only elements retained during the renovationStandout vintage finds included the midcentury Wave Bank bench by Jorge Zalszupin and a 1970s Italian coffee table with striped cylindrical legs.
      In the bedroom suite, the same tiles from the bar were applied to the walls and tub in the bathroom, where the black slate flooring and fluted glass panels are also repeated.
      The same green tiles used for the bar cover the walls and tub in the bathroomApartment living is extremely common in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, and renovations there often involve injecting colour and personality into the homes.
      Examples include an interior filled with peach, green and purple for a fashion editor, and another with burnt pink ceilings in the bedroom.
      The photography is by Joana França.

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