Buenos Aires Apartment by Apó Arquitetura

_project: Buenos Aires Apartment
_architecture: Apó Arquiterura
_location: São Paulo, Brazil

The Buenos Aires Apartment, redesigned by Apó Arquitetura, stands as a modern reinterpretation of a historic modernist building by Majer Botkowski. This project masterfully balances the heritage of the building with contemporary design elements, creating a space that respects its past while embracing the future.

The apartment's design was heavily influenced by the building's modernist roots. The architect explains, "We opted for a design with few and low elements to highlight the property's main features: the floor-to-ceiling window views and the pillars." This approach not only honored the building's original style but also accentuated the horizontal spaciousness of the apartment, contributing to a sense of greater amplitude.

Addressing the challenges of infusing a contemporary essence into a building with pronounced modernist characteristics, the design team adopted an innovative approach. The architect states, "The building is contemporary, but the original layout was quite fragmented. We removed most of the walls to make the floor plan more open and expansive, thus dialoguing with modernism." This removal of barriers not only opened up the space but also facilitated a seamless integration of modern elements with the historical essence of the building.

The design also focused on preserving the horizontal aspect of the apartment, achieved through low furniture and a dining table that extends into a sideboard, spanning the entire length of the room. The use of light tones was intentional, aimed at creating a simple, essential, and timeless environment.

When asked about the main sources of inspiration for the interior design and material selection, the architect highlighted the influence of the building's modernist architecture. "We chose a light-colored base to enhance the view filled with greenery, and the table and sideboard in granilite, a material widely used in modernist buildings in Brazil, including this one."

The Buenos Aires Apartment is a striking example of how contemporary design can be thoughtfully merged with historical architecture, creating a living space that is both respectful of its past and boldly forward-looking.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter
_cover and image scroll by Carolina Lacaz

_drawings by Apó Arquitetura

1. Floor Plan

2. Axonometric