350 m² apartment has sea view, sauna and special cigar corner

For a couple who had lived in different parts of the world throughout their lives, one thing was essential after retirement: having a place to call home in Brazil while they alternated between seasons in Europe. The solution proposed by architect Vivian Reimers – from CASACOR Rio de Janeiro – was to carry out a major renovation of the 350 m² penthouse, located in Barra da Tijuca (RJ). There was a reason for this choice: this was the apartment where they raised their three children – now married and living abroad – and where many of their fond family memories are kept. The project, which took ten months to complete, began with a simple idea – just changing the living room floor and renovating the furniture. But it soon turned into a complete change of the layout, since, despite having a generous area, the distribution of spaces in the penthouse no longer met the family's current needs. In the briefing , the architect received a few main requests. The first (and most challenging) was to completely change the layout of the roof to house a sauna at its heart . “We had to do a careful study to ensure good thermal insulation and avoid problems in adjacent rooms due to the high temperatures of the sauna. In addition, we chose to install glass walls, which provide visual comfort and create greater integration. To follow the plan, we used a special glass that prevents heat transmission and prevents fogging,” says Vivian. Another important request was the installation of a gourmet balcony . Thus, the place that originally had a jacuzzi, closet and air conditioning, was completely revamped, even gaining swings with a view of the Marapendi Lagoon . “To welcome family and friends with maximum comfort, we created space for a bench with a barbecue and all the necessary amenities”, says the architect, who took great care in selecting materials that were resistant to sea spray.

“We designed a single space for the kitchen, pantry and service area and used custom furniture in olive green satin lacquer to divide and organize the space. On one side, we have the kitchen. On the other, the service area,” he explains. In the decor, neutral tones mix with materials and colors that refer to the Atlantic Forest so characteristic of Rio. Some examples are the bromeliad painting by Bernardo David ; the Frida Khalo painting by artist Areli Ribeiro; the old chairs revamped in orange and upholstered in tropical-print linen bought in Dubai. Signature design is present in several places in the apartment. In the living room are the Rio chaise by Niemeyer , the Duetto Sideboard by Luia Mantelli and the Fast porcelain vase by Rosenthal ; in the hallway, the Chuva Oval mirror by Leo Romano ; in the bathroom, the ep12 Mirror by Sérgio Rodrigues . And speaking of exclusive pieces, the red cabinet in the living room also deserves a mention. Acquired at an art auction, the piece of furniture was adapted with cedar cladding and recycled wood pieces to serve as a cigar humidor , providing a suitable microclimate for cigar storage.