With
340 m² distributed over two floors, this
penthouse in Barra da Tijuca (RJ) underwent a complete transformation to adapt to the lifestyle and aesthetic preferences of businessman
Filippo Renner, 40 years old. Designed by architect
Rodrigo Cardoso from House in Rio Arquitetura and featuring
CASACOR Rio de Janeiro, the project drew inspiration from Greece to create a functional, cozy, and personalized
projects.
The story of the project began even before the acquisition of the property. Renner consulted the architect to see if the layout had reform potential. With the green light, he closed the purchase and began a year of construction and decoration.
The proposal was clear: eliminate sharp corners, adopt white burnt cement as a base, and invest in rustic wooden furniture. The result is a rustic-chic home with strong Mediterranean architectural references. "From the beginning,
the client brought many references of houses in Greece with organic shapes and elegant rusticity," says Rodrigo Cardoso. To meet the request, the architect focused on a
neutral and light palette (note the sandy-colored porcelain tile floor) to highlight the solid wood furniture and natural fiber elements, such as an exposed sisal hammock used as a work of art in the living room.
The layout of the property was completely modified. The old
kitchen and service area made way for a spacious closet in the
master suite, while the new
kitchen was relocated to integrate with the
dining room. The fiberglass pool on the first floor was removed to enlarge the living space, and a new spa was created on the upper floor.
The layout of the penthouse now features, on the first floor, an integrated living room and office, integrated dining and kitchen, service area, master suite with closet, two other suites (one with an office), and an uncovered terrace with a pergola.
On the second floor, the highlight is the 30 m² SPA with a shower installed in a eucalyptus trunk, masonry sofa, and curved planter boxes with cacti. The built-in masonry furniture, such as shelves and sofas, reinforces the artisanal proposal of the project.
"We chose to make the niches in the bookshelf with organic shapes to accommodate objects sourced by the resident, such as ceramic vases and antique pieces, reinforcing the rusticity," says the architect. A good portion of the furniture—including outdoor sofas, the bed in the suite, and the desk in the office—was designed by him. "All of this made the apartment have a style very different from what we see out there," he evaluates.
"It was a challenge to translate this type of architecture for contractors and carpenters. It's a different standard from the usual, which requires a different perspective on finishing and execution," concludes the architect.
