Brazil, 27-10-2017 - 

Located in São Paulo, the economic capital of Latin America and the heart of Brazilian architectural history, the AQH project presented the challenge of transforming a neoclassical apartment into a contemporary living space. 

Walls were knocked down and the interior was completely reorganized in order to provide greater integration and flow between spaces. Only two of the original bedrooms were kept. The apartment was rethought to include spaces in tune with modern lifestyles and the taste of the new residents, a young couple with twin passions for art and nature.

The basic premise of the project was “living with art and garden,” an idea reflected in the spaces, which feature both natural elements and design pieces. A garden with fruit trees was created on the balcony. The garden gives the apartment the warmth and appeal of a house and creates a buffer between the living spaces and the city skyline. The result is a gentle transition to the city beyond and an extension of the apartment’s living space.

Luminous spheres by Bocci, surrounded by vegetation, give a sculptural tone. The owners have a particular appreciation for the spheres, which are used throughout the apartment.

The concrete core was exposed to create a showcase for a rotating selection of artworks. Because the pieces hang from steel cables, they can be easily changed or moved. The many artists whose works are on display include Alex Katz, Vik Muniz, Abraham Palatinik, Ernesto Neto, Janaina Tschape, Leda Catunda, Nazarene, Alex Prager and Ron Galella.

An opening in the concrete structure leads to a wine cellar with clear acrylic walls, making the wine the star of the show.

Authorial designs and attention to detail are hallmarks of the AQH project.

Technical details

Location: São Paulo | Brazil 

Area: 500 m² 

Client: Private

Light Designer: Studio Iluz

Carpentry: Plancus  

Architects: Cesar Coppola and Daniela Coppola

Team: Marcela Guerreiro

Photo credits: Rui Teixeira

About Coletivo Arquitetos

Cesar Coppola and Daniela Coppola started their own architectural firm in 2000, shortly after graduating in Architecture and Urbanism at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo. Hungry for knowledge and seeking professional development, Cesar went to Europe to study contemporary architecture, while Daniela did graduate from the Fundação Armando Alvarez Penteado.

In 2004 they joined a group of architects, classmates and teachers to develop a project for a chain of stores with Bernardes + Jacobsen Architecture, starting a solid partnership that would last a decade.

In 2005, they founded Coletivo Architects, a firm focused on partnership and collaboration in pursuit of excellence in architecture. The work of Coletivo Architects is defined by a creative approach grounded in art and good living, technical and practical rigour in design, meticulous attention to detail and close supervision of the entire process.