Higienópolis Apartment

Designed by architect Sandra Sayeg, the Higienópolis Apartment reflects the pursuit of a space that balances functionality and comfort, in tune with the new phase of its residents’ lives. The couple, whose children have already left home, sought an environment that would allow for both intimate living and frequent hosting of friends and family.
Located in a building with a privileged view of the tree-lined Higienópolis neighborhood, one of the main challenges of the project was integrating the social spaces with the urban landscape. The original floor plan, which was highly compartmentalized, was completely reconfigured, opening up a free axis that seamlessly connects the social area while enhancing the connection with the outdoors through the terrace.
The strategic removal of partitions brought spaciousness and full integration, highlighting the view of the urban skyline. As a result, the home office is connected to the living area, the dining room opens into the living room, and the kitchen can be either integrated or separated depending on the occasion—featuring doors and windows concealed within a lacquered panel, a practical solution that accommodates both formal gatherings and the couple’s daily routine. Every architectural choice enhances circulation and interaction, dissolving boundaries and creating a versatile space with multiple living possibilities.
The project articulates different gathering areas, designed for various moments: a compact table positioned in front of a Zalszupin-designed piece welcomes intimate meals for up to four people; meanwhile, the expansive dining room, where a long rustic Pagliotto stone counter accompanies a table for up to twelve guests, is ideal for receptions and celebrations. In the outdoor area, an open-air table invites relaxed experiences, such as sharing a pizza under the open sky, while the kitchen table becomes the everyday setting for breakfasts and quick meals. Thus, the project transforms the home into a dynamic space where architecture enhances social interaction.
To meet the couple’s needs, the private area—previously composed of four bedrooms—was remodeled to offer more flexibility and fluidity. It now features three bedrooms: a master suite and two guest rooms that share the same bathroom. A door provides access from one of the rooms to the couple’s suite, serving as the wife’s office when there are no guests. The floor plan reconfiguration also allowed for the creation of a dedicated office for the husband, which can be integrated into the living area, making the most of the neighborhood’s view and adding dynamism to the space. The replacement of all doors and internal panels with floor-to-ceiling versions enhanced the ceiling height, ensuring greater visual spaciousness.
Materiality plays a key role in shaping the apartment’s atmosphere. The exposed concrete, revealed after the removal of neoclassical elements, harmonizes with wooden panels, creating a welcoming and contemporary ambiance. These panels also function as transition elements, defining spaces and providing a sense of coziness within such openness. A standout example is the custom-designed carpentry by Sandra, such as the dining room’s china cabinet and the home theater’s bookshelf, which serve as functional statement pieces. The lighting, developed in collaboration with Lightworks, creates versatile scenarios that highlight materiality and contribute to a balanced atmosphere.
On the generous terrace, subtle landscaping—adorned with three modernist Spindel planters in asbestos fiber cement by Willy Guhl for Eternit (1950s), sourced from an antique dealer—reinforces the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the sense of continuity. Meanwhile, the infrastructure designed for hosting—featuring a pizza oven and beer tap—extends the social experience beyond the interiors.
The Higienópolis Apartment clearly embodies a design approach that embraces and enables its residents to coexist in a fluid space, ideal for hosting and creating family moments. A project in harmony with Sandra Sayeg’s architectural practice. A graduate of Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in 1983, her approach integrates functionality, aesthetics, and the essence of each client. Her work stands out for its precise volumetry and meticulous technical detailing.