Renovation transforms 1000 m² house into a retreat integrated with nature

Located in the Botanic Garden in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, this house with three stories underwent a comprehensive renovation signed by architects Carolina Escada and Patricia Landau, from the firm Escala Arquitetura and the cast of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro. With a built area of approximately 1,000 m² on an 800 m² plot, the project stemmed from a property already inhabited by a couple with two pre-teen daughters and two dogs, which brought a fundamental advantage to the process: the residents had a deep understanding of the house's routine and knew exactly what needed to be revisited.

The family temporarily left the property so that the renovation could be carried out comprehensively. According to the architects, this prior knowledge of how the house functioned allowed for more precise decisions that were entirely geared to the actual needs of daily life, without excess or generic solutions. The main demand was to transform the residence into a complete space, capable of accommodating leisure, well-being, and socializing, with spaces like a spa, sauna, gym, cinema, and a generous outdoor area, where adults, children, and dogs could move freely. A barbecue grill and a covered gourmet area were also among the central requests.

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From an architectural standpoint, the renovation promoted specific structural interventions, yet decisive ones. One momentous point was the opening of the staircase, which was previously isolated by a wall. When it was demolished, a column appeared exactly where the wine cellar was planned under the staircase — an essential item for the clients. The solution involved structural reinforcement and the removal of the column, which brought more visual integration and spaciousness to the ground floor. At the back of the house, the floor of the lower level was raised, reducing the existing height difference and allowing for a smoother transition between the projects, in addition to elegantly and continuously incorporating the spa and planter boxes.

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The facades also gained a new reading. The original frames were preserved but changed from white to black, while the exposed brick was painted white, completely renewing the house's image. In the bedrooms, misaligned windows were replaced with sliding doors, promoting a greater connection with the garden. This aesthetic decision also guided the design of the pergolas — both old and new — creating visual unity throughout the entire ensemble.

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Internally, the projects were organized clearly. The lower level houses the bedrooms, office, service areas, spa, and sauna, in addition to uncovered terraces. The ground floor concentrates the social projects, with integrated kitchen, dining room, gourmet area, pool, and covered balcony, all visually connected. The upper level, in turn, gathers cinema, gym, and a terrace that has become one of the project's major highlights.

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The relationship with the exterior is one of the guiding threads of the proposal. The architecture favors natural light, cross ventilation, and continuity between inside and outside. On the upper terrace, planter boxes surround the entire perimeter, creating privacy without blocking the view of the imperial palms in the Botanic Garden. The metal pergola with a wood ceiling filters the light and organizes sitting areas and meals, with a gourmet integrated kitchen that invites frequent use.

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The decoration reflects a house with history. Many pieces from the family's collection were preserved — tables, chairs, paintings, suitcases, mirrors, and icons of Brazilian design — and they converse with new furniture chosen with care. The result mixes renowned national design, contemporary pieces, and artifacts gathered, without rigidity. The color palette starts from neutral tones, with light and medium woods providing continuity and coziness, while earthy, green, and blue tones emerge in strategic points, reinforcing the connection with nature. Materials such as linen, straw, leather, and wood appear recurrently, creating a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere.

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The original peroba-do-campo floorboards of the house were restored: the old varnish was replaced with a matte, colorless finish, which revealed the natural tone of the wood and brought lightness to the projects. In the social projects, large glass frames enhance the relationship with the garden, while bespoke furniture ensures organization without weighing visually. The kitchen, integrated with the dining room, bets on an affectionate atmosphere, with cabinets in a soft green tone, natural wood, geometric flooring, and vintage details that reinforce the space's lived-in character.