Freijó woodwork highlights the art collection in this 140 sq m apartment traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Buying an old property and completely transforming it before even packing the suitcases. It was with this idea in mind that the 49-year-old lawyer acquired this apartment of 140 sqm located in Jardim Botânico (RJ). A long-time admirer of the work of architects Bernardo Gaudie-Ley and Tânia Braida, from the Beta Arquitetura firm (and part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro lineup) — whom she already followed on social media —, she commissioned a project whose main premise was to highlight her impressive art collection through architecture.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The intervention embraced the principle that "less is more," guided by a contemporary and timeless aesthetic. The starting point was to value the property's own memory: the original peroba-do-campo parquet flooring was entirely preserved and restored. To complement the natural warmth of the wood, the architects chose an essentially neutral palette and pure materials, creating a base of visual balance capable of framing and highlighting the paintings and sculptures distributed throughout the projects.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

While the social area kept its original boundaries, the other sectors of the apartment underwent a true structural revolution to meet the routine of the resident and her 10-year-old son. A former idle circulation space was converted into an elegant powder room.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The transition between the technical and social areas is now dictated by a large natural freijó cabinetry box. This architectural element not only organizes the visual flow but also fluidly conceals the access doors to the kitchen, entrance hall, powder room, and intimate circulation.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

In the private wing, the former third bedroom was completely absorbed by the project to give life to a generous closet in the master suite. The change also allowed for a significant expansion of the main bathroom, ensuring a much more comfortable and relaxing shower area.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

In the living room, the clean white surfaces gain power from works signed by José Bechara, Ana Holck, Sued, Almandrade, Gonçalo Ivo, Galvão, Arthur Luiz Piza and Wolfram Ulrich. The imposing freijó structure serves as an exhibition support for relics by Barsotti, Paulo Whitaker, Macaparana and Manfredo Souza Neto. The entire ensemble is bathed in a scenic lighting project developed to measure to enhance every detail of the textures and colors of the works.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

In the integrated kitchen and pantry, the custom cabinets received a flag-green lacquer – a strategic choice by the architects to create a direct and casual dialogue with the photographs by Andy Warhol that decorate the projects.

Projeto de Beta Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

All the furniture was acquired exclusively for the new address, celebrating the best of national design from different eras. In the social area, highlights include the Peralta armchair (Mula Preta) upholstered in suede, the pair of Tetê armchairs and the Mocho stool (classics by Sergio Rodrigues), in addition to the Rosá coffee table and the Ale dining table (signed by Maria Cândida Machado). The iconic Bossa chairs, by Jader Almeida, surround the dining table, under the effect of the Norte Sul lamps, designed by Sol Camacho. In the pantry, the precise lines of Aristeu Pires appear in the Caetano table and the Claudia chairs.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER