700 m² penthouse has a 360º view of tourist spots in Rio

Signed by the office Navarro Arquitetura (from the cast of CASACOR São Paulo) in Urca (RJ), this 1960s penthouse, previously in ruins, became a luxurious and relaxed refuge of 700 m², with 360-degree views of the city's icons. The project was conceived with the pathways and views of the apartment in mind: one example is the staircase that acts as a "tunnel", framing the view of Christ the Redeemer in the TV room, and the use of strategic mirrors in the external area and pool, which simultaneously reflect Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ.

The owner's briefing, who considered the property the realization of a childhood dream, requested a project primarily comfortable, functional, and informal, ideal for gathering guests in a relaxed manner. The family, who usually spends vacations in Spain, wanted this apartment to be a Brazilian refuge, with plenty of vegetation.

The construction was a radical intervention in a building from the 1960s: the entire layout was redone, the electrical load was increased, the gas piping was redone, and the building's structure needed to be reinforced. On the lower level, the alteration resulted in four suites with private bathrooms. The upper level, which was a large slab, was transformed into a complete leisure area, including a TV room, sauna, gourmet area, deck, and the glass pool (whose installation required meticulous structural calculations).

The color palette is predominantly light and neutral, with a reduced finishing table of only six types: moleanos limestone (which evokes shells and sand) in the social areas, external areas, and pool; European and American oak in the intimate areas and panels; details of Green Esmerald marble (a reference to vegetation); green granite countertops in the kitchens; external decking made of teak wood.

All furniture used is Brazilian, except for the poufs (Paola Lenti) in the pool area. A large part of the furniture was even purchased from antique stores. Among the works of art, the highlight is the painting by Burle Marx, the Tenreiro sculpture (red next to the bathroom door), and the sculpture next to the staircase, made by artist Fernando Spazianni, developed from a piece found by the client during the demolition of a church downtown.