266 m² duplex coverage receives integrated and solar project

Located in the São Francisco neighborhood of Niterói (RJ), this duplex penthouse of 266 m² was purchased by a couple in their 40s, who already lived in the same residential complex. As soon as they finalized the purchase, they sought architect Amanda Miranda – part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro team – to lead the complete renovation and develop the entire interior design project. "I met the couple through my daughter's school. Their youngest son is in the same class as her," Amanda recounts. The property, still in its original state, showed signs of wear and had few modifications to the layout.

Among the family's main requests was maintaining the bedrooms on the first floor and transforming the upper floor into a spacious gourmet area. Initially, they thought about separating the barbecue, living, and dining areas with sliding doors, but the idea was reconsidered with the architect's guidance. "I explained that, practically, the doors would always be open and that a fully integrated space would make much more sense," she recalls. Another significant wish came from the father, a wine enthusiast, who dreamed of creating a generous wine cellar geared towards the social area. In the external area, they requested the reduction of the pool deck to include a new living area and the removal of the sauna, while still keeping a lavabo and a full bathroom. The old fiber pool was replaced by a new model with tiles and a glass side.

On the ground floor, the layout was reorganized to integrate the living room and balcony, creating a more spacious and fluid project. The service room was incorporated into the laundry, and the lavabo was eliminated to expand the main suite and the service area. The children – fanatic supporters of Fluminense, like their parents – started sharing a room themed around the team, while the third bedroom became a game room. The club's colors subtly inspired the palette of the gourmet area, with green countertops, rugs, and accents in burgundy. "I wanted to bring this passion in an elegant and affectionate way, without falling into the obvious," comments Amanda. "And that’s the most beautiful part of the affectionate project: everything is designed to make sense for those who live there, not just to impress visitors."

After the renovation, the lower floor now gathers a living room, kitchen, laundry, service bathroom, two bedrooms, a social bathroom, and a suite with a closet and private bathroom. On the upper floor, a wine cellar, a spacious gourmet area with integrated living and dining, a social bathroom, a lavabo, storage, pool, and an uncovered outdoor area were created.

With a light and solar concept, the project enhanced natural lighting, the integration between projects, and the use of materials like straw, bamboo, and wood, creating fluid and cozy spaces. One of the highlights of the gourmet area is the white metal cover with bamboo lining, which allows for generous light entry. The organically shaped countertop, which combines travertine marble and Emerald Green quartzite, reinforces the proposal of sophistication with natural touches. The landscaping was developed by the office itself.

All the decor – except for the sofa in the gourmet area – features new furniture, carefully selected to withstand everyday use and the humid projects of the pool area. Functionality was the primary selection criterion, but without sacrificing aesthetics. Among the standout pieces are the Tajá armchairs, by Sergio Rodrigues, the Calma armchair, by Básico Design, and the Cob coffee table, by Frederico Cruz. The predominant style is contemporary with subtle touches of boho chic, evident in the natural materials.

The wine cellar, one of the father's favorite projects, was implemented on the side of the stairs, with custom cabinetry to accommodate up to 400 bottles. Climate-controlled and waterproofed, it received thermal insulation and solid wood panels, in addition to a Diore texture on the back, reminiscent of beach sand and also appearing in the TV room, reinforcing the visual unity. The light gray porcelain tile flooring extends throughout the apartment, including the outdoor projects, creating continuity between the environments. In the gourmet area ceiling, the bamboo lining alternates with plaster, balancing natural light and thermal comfort. The cabinetry on the upper floor was designed by the architect with oak finish, the same used in the TV room shelves, which also features muxarabi doors as a standout detail.

The project was executed in about a year, from development to the finishing touches of the decor. The biggest challenge faced, according to Amanda, was the installation of the pool. "During the construction, we encountered a beam exactly at the planned location, which required a millimeter adjustment in the measurements. Then, we had to lift the already prepared and tiled pool up seven floors — a complex operation, considering the difficult access, the sloping terrain, and the many trees around. Several feasibility studies were necessary before we defined the final design of the pool."