400 m² duplex to accommodate a family of seven

A couple in their 40s bought this 400 m² duplex apartment in Barra da Tijuca (RJ) in search of more space to comfortably accommodate their large family of seven . Before moving into their new address, they decided to commission a complete renovation project from architect Paula Müller to accommodate, first and foremost, their five children (aged between 2 and 17). In the new home, each of the two daughters had their own suite , while the three boys were placed in the same room. “The clients also asked for special attention to be paid to the kitchen and the gourmet area on the balcony, as these would be spaces that they would use a lot on a daily basis. They also wanted a walk-in closet for each spouse in the master suite, as well as a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. Finally, the owner asked for an office just for her, completely isolated from the house – a kind of work ‘bunker’, which was camouflaged in the woodwork panels on the staircase,” says the architect. The wife's office was installed (and isolated) in an unused area on the stairs, two bathrooms were reversed so that – for allergy reasons – the 2-year-old girl's bathroom had a window facing the outside, the master suite gained a closet for each spouse and the layout of the couple's bathroom was changed.

According to the architect, overall, the project sought to create a contemporary, cozy and elegant apartment, with practical and functional materials and solutions , as it is home to a large family. In the social area, the natural oak finish of the joinery “warms” the space, making it more welcoming , and contrasts with the travertine-patterned tiled floor (large-format porcelain), whose tone is also present in the curtains, sofas and chairs. The pair of armchairs were upholstered in green fabric to bring a touch of color to the space without making it visually heavy.