With a view of the Bay, 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated retreat

Signed by architect Carmen Zaccaro, from the cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro, the renovation and decoration project of this two-story house, with 700 m² of built area on a 1,000 m² plot, is located in Jardim Guanabara, a neighborhood in Ilha do Governador, in the northern zone of Rio de Janeiro. The residence belongs to a couple in their 40s — he is a lawyer and she is the digital influencer Monique Leite, parents of twelve-year-old twins and six-year-old Antônia.

Before opting for the house, the family lived in a 230 m² apartment, also renovated by the office seven years ago. With the children's growth, the desire to host friends more comfortably, and the wish to have a dog, the need for more space became evident. The opportunity arose when they found this already-built residence, although in poor condition and with outdated architecture. "They were enchanted by the view of Guanabara Bay and saw the potential to create the home they desired," says the architect. The decision was for a complete renovation, capable of completely re-signifying the property.

From the beginning, the residents' requests were clear: a practical house with spacious, well-ventilated, integrated projects, and above all, connected to the outdoor area. The aesthetic proposal had to be timeless, elegant without excesses, and cozy. To achieve this, Carmen promoted profound interventions in the original architecture, keeping only the roof of the existing construction.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd173" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

The facade was completely redesigned, gaining a contemporary language marked by lightness. The old porch roofs gave way to metal structures, while all the wooden frames were replaced with black aluminum models, which ensured greater durability, practicality, and a more modern look, in addition to facilitating the entry of natural light and cross ventilation.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd177" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

Inside, the renovation was equally radical: walls and corridors were demolished to integrate the social spaces, and all installations and finishes were replaced. An old service staircase was eliminated, allowing for the expansion of the service area on the ground floor and, on the upper floor, the couple's suite closet. The gourmet area also underwent a complete transformation — the original structure was demolished and gave way to a new, more elongated space without side walls, which freed the previously obstructed view.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd188" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

The zoning of the house was designed to meet the family's different dynamics. On the ground floor are the entrance hall, toilet, integrated living and dining rooms, wine cellar, office, home theater, breakfast room, kitchen, and service area with dependencies. On the upper floor, a loft connects the intimate room to the four suites: the couple's suite, which has a generous closet, and three suites with closets intended for the children.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd176" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

The external area underwent a complete reconfiguration. A heavy old annex that housed a barbecue and bathroom and blocked the view was demolished. In its place, a new, covered, longitudinal gourmet area fully integrated with the exterior emerged, enhancing the view of Guanabara Bay from all angles. The space gained a light and contemporary structure, with glass enclosure and bamboo ceiling, which adds texture and coziness to the outdoor living area. The pool had its original structure preserved but received new finishing and a hydro-massage area, reinforcing the leisure and well-being aspect of the residence. The landscaping, developed by the architect in partnership with the family's gardener, complements the proposal for integration and lightness.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd17b" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

In the decoration, some of the furniture and lighting fixtures were brought from the former address, preserving the residents' affective memory. The glass table and wooden pendants from the old dining room were relocated to the breakfast room. Armchairs from the living room, the Renata armchair, by Sérgio Rodrigues, and the dining chairs with cane seats were also repurposed, being complemented by new pieces, as the current table is larger. Prints and personal decorative objects help create a family atmosphere.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd17e" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

The new furniture reinforces a light and discreet elegance, aligned with the residents' lifestyle. In the living room, the dining table is from Ovoo. In the entrance hall, the sideboard signed by Luia Mantelli dialogues with a print by artist Eduardo Sued. The house's color palette follows neutral off-white tones, with subtle color points designed not to compete with the view. Mint green appears delicately in the tile panel of the breakfast room and in the kitchen cabinetry, creating freshness and lightness. The wood in a honey tone, present in the natural freijó cabinetry, furniture, and floor of the intimate area, ensures visual unity and comfort.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd179" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

The floor of the ground floor is covered with travertine marble, while the walls of the living areas combine freijó panels, moledo stone — applied in the double-height ceiling and in the wine cellar. Also noteworthy is the entrance hall, with freijó paneled walls and ceiling, and the bathroom door camouflaged in the same cladding.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd17f" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

In the kitchen, the integration with the gourmet area is enhanced by sliding panels that allow the environments to be isolated or joined as needed, in addition to the dish cabinet with a Monet Lagune marble niche, the same used for the countertops.

[caption id="697e9de036c2c45528cbd186" width="736" data-alt="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-caption="With a view of the Bay, the 700 m² house becomes a light and integrated refuge" data-credit="Photos: Juliano Colodeti, from MCA Estúdio | Visual production: Cristina Tostes and Bruna Zaccaro" data-source-id="68f2b8ff98f18c7f5f5e4dea" data-source-name="CASACOR"][/caption>

With a contemporary, casual, and elegant style, the project took about two years from conception, approval, construction execution, and finishing decoration.