227 m² apartment integrates with nature with open and spacious spaces

The beginning of the project for this 227 m² penthouse in Ipanema (RJ) was radical: the demolition of all the internal walls . The proposal by architect Rodrigo Cardoso , from House in Rio Arquitetura, came to modernize the layout of the home of the couple who live there with a young child. “The plan was not well-used. Now we have three suites , an integrated kitchen and a service area next to the outdoor area , where we designed two pergolas. We also installed a lightweight, coated fiberglass pool and an organically shaped wooden deck , which also serves as a bench,” explains the professional. Previously, it was a one-suite, two-bedroom apartment with a closed kitchen. The exterior, covered with clay tiles, had several chronic leak problems. The hall has panels on the walls and slats on the ceiling , creating the sensation of a “wooden box” that highlights the entrance to the apartment. The kitchen, integrated into the living room, has cabinets made of the same material, mixed with a soft shade of green. The countertop, with rounded corners and slatted detail in the carpentry, connects the living room and the kitchen. The office prioritized choices that refer to natural elements, such as wood in the furniture, bamboo lining in the pergola, organic-shaped coverings that refer to clay and many plants . The colors appear in prominent elements, such as the dining table, and in details such as paintings and objects.

“Most of the furniture was designed by us, with emphasis on the dining room table, made of green Gaia quartzite . We also designed the outdoor table, which has an integrated stainless steel planter,” says the architect. Another important requirement of the family was to connect the outdoor area with the living room, with full integration of the spaces by folding the doors. “The intention was to create a support area for the gourmet kitchen and the pool, protected by the pergola with bamboo lining , which can be used for daily meals or as a more informal home office,” explains the architect. Also noteworthy is the tile panel on the wall behind the pool , with a cutout at the end to frame the view of Morro Dois Irmãos. On the second floor of the penthouse, the terrace of just 20 m² accommodates a lounge with outdoor furniture and a pergola , which serves as a shade. “It is a more secluded area of the property, designed as a place to relax and watch the sunset”, concludes Rodrigo.