Meet the apartment with a sea view designed by architect Rodrigo Cardoso

Signed by architect Rodrigo Cardoso, head of the firm House in Rio Arquitetura and part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro event, the renovation project of this apartment of 163 m², located in Barra da Tijuca (RJ), started from a personal desire: to transform an old and very deteriorated property into a new home, larger and more functional, for him and his wife, the dermatologist and nutritionist Analice Chaves. The couple sought a space with a balcony, sea view and comfortable projects to host friends – all with maximum integration and visual lightness. Originally with four bedrooms, the apartment had its layout completely revised. One of the bedrooms was converted into a suite, another was eliminated to enlarge the living room, and the old service room was incorporated into the new kitchen, which became part of the social area. The front balcony and part of a corridor were also integrated into the living room, further increasing the living space. "We knocked down whatever possible in terms of walls to create a more fluid layout. The idea was to promote visual and physical connections between the projects, as well as to make the most of the entrance of natural light," explains Rodrigo. The project faced two major challenges: the low ceiling height and the presence of several large pillars, measuring 1.5 m x 20 cm. To navigate around them, the architect eliminated about 70% of the drywall ceiling and applied burnt cement in mineral color directly on the slab and some walls, contrasting with the warmer and more natural finishes.

Among the standout materials are the solid tauari wood flooring in the bedrooms, cabinetry with natural muiracatiara veneer finish – in a dark tone –, and the master suite bathroom countertop, made of Crema Marfil marbled quartz. The choice of neutral finishes in off white, gray, and wood brought visual unity, while color points – such as the pink sofa and the blue chairs and armchairs – add personality to the living room. In the décor, sentimental pieces from the old address were retained, such as the paintings by Ana Amélia Metsavaht, the Lina armchair (Suíte Design), the Platô sofa, designed by Jayme Bernardo, and the coffee table designed by Rodrigo himself with wooden pieces from a demolished roof that would have been discarded. The social area is also noteworthy for the "floating" piece created by the architect to divide the living room and kitchen: on the living room side, it holds books; on the kitchen side, it accommodates appliances and also hides the dining table used daily. In the couple's suite, the highlight is the "aquarium" style glass box, which connects the sink to the bedroom, and the vertical garden on the balcony, which provides more privacy from the neighbors. The renovation, including design, approval, and decoration execution, was completed in eight months.