Located in the most iconic trio of residential buildings in Brasília, Apartment 02 has been completely renovated to meet the needs of the owners. The main points of the project were the open plan, restoration of the exposed concrete, and the functionality of spaces and elements.
© Haruo Mikami
The building is part of an architectural complex on 107 North block, imagined by Architect Mayumi Watanabe. Constructed in 1968, its outdoor area is very popular as a photographic location in the city, ranging from clothing line launches to wedding photos. The attraction is easily explained by its unique design and brutalist style, which contrasts with most residential buildings in Brasilia’s “wings”.
© Haruo Mikami
To incorporate the building’s identity into the apartment, in a natural way, the wall coverings were removed and the internal exposed concrete was restored. The almost absence of beams and columns inside the apartment was crucial in creating the desired open plan, joining the dining room, kitchen, office, living room, and laundry area in one big room. The kitchen island was designed to entertain guests, creating an informal atmosphere. Open shelves were used to separate the social and service area, thus making good use of the natural lighting and ventilation.
© Haruo Mikami
In addition to concrete, another widely explored material was wood. The floor was assembled in a chevron style with brazilian wood planks, running uninterruptedly throughout the apartment, except for the bathrooms and laundry area. Functionality was key in defining the layout, coverings, equipment and furniture. Such items were chosen based on ease of use, cleaning and ergonomics. In the end, the visual permeability and design simplicity brought a pleasant feeling of lightness, spaciousness and well-being to the occupants.
© Haruo Mikami
© Haruo Mikami
Project Info
Architects: Hugo Oliveira Arquitetura
Area: 110 m²
Year: 2021
Country: Asa Norte, Brazil
Photographs: Haruo Mikami
Manufacturers: DuPont, Electrolux, Acer, Brastemp, CasaZ, Conceito Alphaville, Deca, Decortiles, Docol, Duratex, Eliane, Elétrica Capital, Essenza Design, LG, Legrand, Lorenzetti, Madipê Pisos de Madeira, Mister Led, Samsung, San German, +5
Ruba Ahmed, a senior project editor at Arch2O and an Alexandria University graduate, has reviewed hundreds of architectural projects with precision and insight. Specializing in architecture and urban design, she excels in project curation, topic selection, and interdepartmental collaboration. Her dedication and expertise make her a pivotal asset to Arch2O.