Sertão facing the sea: an apartment full of affection and Ceará soul traduzido por: OPENROUTER

In the iconic Dom Pedro I Building, a modernist gem from the 1970s on Avenida Beira-Mar, in Fortaleza (CE), architects Marcus Novais and Lucas Novais, of the firm Novais Arquitetura (and part of the CASACOR Ceará lineup), brought to life this spatial narrative of 203 sqm. The linear apartment, which spent more than eight years closed due to an inventory process, was reborn to welcome businessman and triathlete Cyro Thomaz, pâtissière chef Lia Quinderé, the couple's son, and their dog Tobias.

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The conceptual starting point of the project was born from a singular desire of Cyro: to bring the atmosphere of a countryside house, surrounded by trees and memories, to the blue immensity of the Ceará coast — a true "hinterland facing the sea".

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The structural renovation was total: respecting the architecture of the era, the professionals reconfigured the original floor plan to create three comfortable suites, a powder room, and a more fluid private wing, with emphasis on the expansion of the couple's closet.

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

However, the great turning point of the project was the full integration between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The latter, custom-designed for Lia's gastronomic passion — a graduate of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu —, became the social heart of the home. With the stove facing the dining table, the act of cooking turned into an invitation to togetherness and to contemplation of the permanent ocean view.

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The materiality of the apartment balances poetic rusticity and urban modernism. Exposed concrete beams, pillars, and slabs were stripped and revealed, harmoniously dialoguing with the original ipê plank floor, which was restored. The walls gained artisanal texture in terracotta tones, while leather appears imposingly on the entrance door, signed by master Espedito Seleiro.

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

In the kitchen, the retro charm of hexagonal ceramic tiles meets the warmth of the natural wood slatted ceiling and corten steel.

Projeto de Novais Arquitetura. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

The curation of furniture and art is a chapter of its own, celebrating Brazilian identity and the strength of Ceará's production. Renowned names such as Sergio Rodrigues, Lina Bo Bardi, Jader Almeida and Jean Gillon share the space with the contemporary design of Ceará-born Érico Gondim. On the walls and niches of the large affective shelving unit, works by Túlio Paracampos, Sergio Helle and a sculpture by Sérvulo Esmeraldo coexist with national references.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER