Contemporary family requirements -Brazil
Built in the 1960s to meet a family’s contemporary requirements. Brazilian studio Debaixo do Bloco Arquitetura has refurbished and reconfigured the apartment’s layout, which split the main living areas into two separate spaces. In the updated layout the exposed concrete walls are cut open to form a single, shared space for the family to gather. Hallways and social areas, including the kitchen, are no longer arranged separately and turns into one unit as if it were a large loft. The integration of the areas improves communication between the family and allows for better flow when entertaining.
In order to separate the intimate spaces from the social area a wooden bookcase divides these two environments that receive the family’s book collection and personal items, blind doors are arranged between the niches to access the couple’s bedroom suite, daughter’s bedroom and the guest bathroom.
The granulate floor is a reference to the buildings of Brasilia, where the social area was always covered in this flooring, the concrete has its place in the furniture designed by architect Clay Rodrigues and in the exaltation of the apparent structure, including one of the pillars of the room is revealed and treated as a sculpture. Corrugated glass in the kitchen, cabinet-making and design by the office itself, Le Corbusier’s palette-lined washbasin and furniture bring the air of mid-century at the same time as items such as the lighting rails, tensioned bathroom screens and mirrors the air more contemporary.