This project consists in a renovation of a house located in a noble neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Set on a lively area, the noise control was one of the top challenges, which in the end, had great influence in the final look of the architecture itself.
The main guidelines to solve this question was to turn the house to an interior courtyard, while movable shutters were integrated to the main facade, working as noise filters, but at the same time letting natural light into the space. The courtyard, integrated to the living area, also lets natural light inside all rooms. The gardens - that surround the whole structure - let the green foliage visually connected with the interior area through glass panels that build the facade.
The house was originally composed by two separate buildings. Their integration was also an important key point of this project. Only one main block was created, with living area on the ground floor, private areas on the second floor, all directed to the interior courtyard, where the swimming pool and a living room were located; and service area on the basement. There was also a huge concern in keeping the original features of the house, like the stairs, for example, that had its original structure kept and was updated to contemporaneity through the materials and the new rail made of iron. Were also kept the Portuguese tiles from the dining room.
As for the interior design, the project was born from the need of having wide living areas connected to the leisure area, so the clients could host parties and gatherings. Another request from the client was to provide the highest amount of external area with sun, minimizing the incidence of shadows in the swimming pool.
Since it was a renovation, some surprises were found in the process, like unleveled slabs and low beams. In order not to lose height, we took advantage of the existing beams and new ones were created, highlighted by a special lighting design, what made possible a comfortable integration of the living spaces.
The materials used were always defined having in mind that architecture is not for seasons and that the rooms should be as lit up as possible. Therefore, the travertine marble was chosen for the living floor, swimming pool courtyard and toilets; wood for the private areas and pasinato floor for the external areas. Interior e exterior walls are always white or lined with wooden panels. Shutters are in fiberglass, windows in white aluminum, canopy and doors in aluminum coated with corten steel paint; doors and panels in freijó wood; and the swimming pool in Batu Hijau. All woodwork was designed by the office.
On the other hand, the decoration focused on quality and elegance, rather then trends or styles. Spartan tones such as white, grey and black were privileged above others and almost all of the furniture used are signed by Brazilian and Italian designers.
