An apartment where almost all the walls are covered with wooden veneers might, at first glance, be seen as somewhat austere and impersonal. However, this is not the case with this property, located in the elegant Parque Cidade Jardim, a residential condominium in the southern zone of São Paulo, designed by the renowned architect and designer, Fernanda Marques.
Filled with charm, the overall sensation upon arrival is one of warmth and intimacy, thanks to its large openings that provide the entire social and intimate areas with stunning light and views. This is also due to Fernanda’s keen eye, responsible for curating the art project, which features works by Abraham Palatnik, Julio Le Parc, José Patricio, and Fernando Velasquez.
Designed to satisfy the refined taste of its owners – a young couple of entrepreneurs with three young children – the interior project leaves nothing to be desired from a functional point of view. “I thought of every detail with a view to maximizing the use of spaces for all family members, both adults and children,” explains the architect.
“At the request of my clients, I prioritized the design of the social areas, starting from the center of the apartment, which was occupied by a large welcoming living room,” says Fernanda. She equipped all the spaces adjacent to this central core – including the dining room, gourmet area, home theater/game room, and gym – with large sliding wooden panels.
The unity is reinforced by maintaining the same flooring throughout the floorplan, from the elevator exit to the edge of each space. The existence of the panels ensures even greater versatility of use. As the sliding doors close, the large living room becomes a private space. Or, if they are opened, it can function in conjunction with the others.
Without compromising on a minimalist approach that values both fullness and emptiness in the choice of furniture, Fernanda favors ancestral materials such as glass, wood, and, above all, rocks. These natural materials are present in furniture and designer accessories sourced from specialized galleries like Firmacasa and Dpot Objetos, or signed by Estúdio Niz, St. James, Jacqueline Terpins, among others.
These elements, although in subdued tones, subtly color the environments alongside the expressiveness of the artwork, eliminating any signs of monotony. “The joinery also follows this concept of chromatic balance, without overwhelming too much, but as a complementary element to the color and texture scheme,” points out the architect.
