Before starting the renovation of an old apartment, be aware of the essential care with structure, installations, building regulations, and project planning.
Submitted at Jul 30, 2025, 1:00 PM
On the other hand, these spaces carry an architectural charm that is hard to find in newer constructions — such as high ceilings, wooden flooring, plaster moldings, and generous layouts.
Coleção de arte guia reforma de apartamento brasiliense da década de 1960. Projeto de BLOCO Arquitetos. Na foto. sala com quadros e estante. (Joana França/Divulgação)
Before starting any intervention, it is crucial to understand what should be checked, the limitations imposed by the structure, and the precautions to take to ensure safety, functionality, and appreciation of the property. Below, we present the key points of attention in the renovation of an old apartment.
Projeto de Bloco Arquitetos. (Júlia Tótoli/CASACOR)
Before thinking about breaking down walls or integrating spaces, it is essential to hire a civil engineer or architect to perform a structural assessment. In old buildings, the structure is often made up of load-bearing masonry walls or reinforced concrete, meaning not all partitions can be removed.
In addition, there may be settling (sinking), significant cracks, or leaks affecting pillars, beams, and slabs — compromising the safety of the construction. Only a qualified professional can identify these risks and advise on what can or cannot be done, avoiding damages and even accidents.
Projeto de Pedro Coimbra. (Tiago Morena/Divulgação)
One of the most critical points in renovating old properties lies in the building installations. Old electrical systems may not support the demand from modern appliances, as well as presenting risks of short circuits and fires. It is common to find distribution panels that do not meet current standards, wiring without grounding, or outdated circuit breakers.
In terms of plumbing, galvanized iron or copper pipes may be corroded, leading to leaks or water contamination. It is ideal to review all installations, replacing what is necessary with safer and more durable materials such as PVC or PEX. Take the opportunity to reposition water, light, and gas points, adapting the apartment to your routine and the new layout.
Brunete Fraccaroli, Acqua Que Te Quero Água. A arquiteta celebridade lançara na mostra uma cor exclusiva de Silestone. A tonalidade, chamada de Silestone® Acqua Fraccaroli, é um tom de azul esverdeado que dá o tom – literalmente – deste ambiente. A proposta de Brunete é resgatar o colorido de seus antigos projetos, diferente dos anos anteriores quando investiu em tons mais sóbrios. “Já é o terceiro ano que faço o mesmo espaço na Casa Cor, pois acho desafiador. Às vezes, pego muito apartamentos no mesmo edifício e tenho que ser criativa. Isto para mim é ser um bom profissional. Se desafiar eternamente, se reinventar a cada dia, ora em tons sóbrios, ora em tons Brasil”, relata Brunete que confessa estar dentro do tema Brasilidade de 2015. A escolha da cor está ligada à infância da arquiteta, que sempre teve uma paixão por esse tom. “Sempre amei cores. Minha tia dava banho no meu gatinho branco com anilinas da fábrica do meu pai e o deixava azul. Adorávamos brincar com as cores e a minha preferida era este tom de azul esverdeado”, relembra. O Silestone® by Cosentino, uma superfície que pode ser aplicada em bancadas de cozinha e de banheiro, paredes e pisos de áreas internas possui altíssima resistência à manchas, impactos e riscos, além de baixa absorção de líquidos. Ele conta também com uma propriedade bacteriostática, que impede a proliferação de fungos e bactérias, sem fazer mal à saúde. O personagem que inspirou o ambiente é um Chef, que gosta de preparar pratos especiais e receber amigos. O projeto foi distribuído em espaço gourmet, living e suíte máster – todos na nuance especial criada por Brunete. (Gabriel Inamine/CASACOR)
Each condominium has its own internal regulation, which establishes norms for construction works, permitted hours, transportation of debris, and use of common areas. Additionally, listed buildings or those located in areas of historical or cultural interest may require approval from heritage bodies.
Projeto de Sophia Galvão. (Denilson Machado/Divulgação)
It is also important to check the necessity of ART (Technical Responsibility Annotation) or RRT (Technical Responsibility Registration), mandatory documents for works with structural interventions, as determined by the engineering (CREA) and architecture (CAU) councils. Non-compliance with these rules may result in fines, work stoppage, or conflicts with the building administration.
Projeto de Paula Neder. (MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)
One of the advantages of renovating an old apartment is the possibility of preserving or restoring unique architectural elements. Wooden flooring, solid wood doors, iron windows, plaster moldings, and art deco tiles are examples of details that can add personality and value to the property.
Apartamento Jurerê - Projeto de Marcelo Salum. (Divulgação/CASACOR)
Instead of demolishing everything, it's worth analyzing the condition of these pieces and, if possible, integrating them into the new project with a contemporary approach. The mix of old and new can create surprising results full of identity. Specialized professionals can assist in restoring old materials, such as polishing wooden flooring or electrostatic painting of frames.
Apartamento possui vista para quatro cartões postais do Rio de Janeiro. Projeto de João Panaggio. Na foto, hall de entrada com parede amadeirada e carrinho com canto do café. (Foto: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio / Produção visual: Aldi Flosi/Divulgação)
Renovating an old apartment requires extra attention to the budget and the construction schedule, as unforeseen issues are more common than one might imagine. When opening walls and floors, hidden problems may arise — such as leaks, mold, improvised wiring, or compromised structures.
Cozinha com lajotas e esquadrias originais da casa. Apartamento RJ de Naurício Arruda. (Maura Mello/Divulgação)
Therefore, it is essential to have an extra financial reserve (between 10% and 20% of the estimated value) to deal with these situations. The planning should also consider the time for project approvals, the logistics of purchasing materials, hiring specialized labor, and any adaptations during execution.
Projeto de Maycon Altera. (André Mortatti/Divulgação)
Having the help of an architect from the beginning helps to avoid mistakes, to foresee costs more accurately, and to ensure a harmonious and functional outcome. This technical follow-up also ensures that all stages of the work follow technical standards and good practices in civil construction.
CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the Technology team of CASACOR based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.
