Mafema Apartment

At the top of a building in the heart of São Paulo, just minutes away from the city’s main financial and commercial centers, the Mafema Apartment project seeks to create a private oasis.

In the brief provided by the clients, the goal was to create a serene home with spaces dedicated to well-being. The social area includes, in a single environment, the entrance hall, living room, dining room, and home theater. To define each area, the furniture was arranged to structure the layout. Large glass windows stretch across the entire façade, framing the skyline, and when desired, linen curtains filter the natural light.

The continuous use of materials – ranging from marble floor to wood ceilings and panels that envelop the entire space – reinforces both physical and visual permeability. Earthy tones, combined with varied textures, balance the proportions of the architecture and establish a foundation for the furniture and artworks.

In the living room, a niche cuts into the main wall to accommodate a fireplace made of stone bricks. An extension at the same height as this element, clad in wood, extends across the main wall and unfolds as a sideboard in the entrance hall. Above, a climate-controlled wine cellar is concealed behind doors with a click-opening system.

The decor is the result of a curated selection, combining modern and contemporary design pieces. Notable items include the Marenco sofa by Marco Marenco, a pair of Lina armchairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1955 (Tacchini, from Micasa Brasil), Maria Sem Vergonha side tables by Etel Carmona (Etel Design), Blast coffee table by Ronald Sasson, and the Pumpkin sofa, originally designed in 1971 by Pierre Paulin for Ligne Roset (Micasa Brasil). The arrangement of the pieces, oriented toward the center of the room, encourages conversation during gatherings with family and friends.

On the wall, artworks by Brazilian artists: the sculpture “Abertura em Equilíbrio” (2020) – in wood and bronze – by Osvaldo Gaia, and “Laranjeira 4” (2022) – in copper wire and wood – by Luiz Hermano.

The kitchen connects to the living room through sliding panels that can be fully retracted into the walls. This solution offers flexibility for the residents, allowing the space to either integrate with the living areas or remain isolated when desired.

The custom cabinetry maintains a clean aesthetic, enhanced by discreet hardware, such as brushed finish handles. The appliances integrated into the cabinetry, with the refrigerator concealed behind wood-paneled doors. At the center countertop accommodates the induction cooktop, built-in range hood, and oven.

The support counter extends outward, creating an area for quick meals, equipped with a trio of Single Curve stools, designed by Oki Sato for Nendo (from Micasa Brasil).

In the dining room, the fluid design of the Amorfa table (Micasa Brasil), which seats up to 10 people, provides a harmonious contrast to the orthogonal lines of the architecture and cabinetry. Complementing the composition, a set of Nena chairs (designed by Lanzavecchia+Wai for Zanotta, purchased from Micasa Brasil). The wall is adorned with a painting by Paulo Whitaker (Untitled, 2024).

The home theater is located at the opposite end of the living room. The lower unit has doors with wood frames covered in natural straw, a solution designed for ventilation inside the unit and to allow the propagation of the integrated audio system. A niche on the side wall houses a support bench, and the wall is finished in natural leather and straw (Nani Chinellato), as is the seat.

The artificial lighting design in the living area uses compact, efficient light sources, complemented by indirect lighting systems built into the cabinetry and the curtain track. The intensity controlled by automation, prioritizing comfort. The clean ceiling design reinforces a discreet approach.

In the private area are three bedrooms, including the master suite with a walk-in closet. The hallway, covered with panels that replicate the finish of the living areas and stone flooring, defines the access. Wardrobe closets are integrated into the cabinetry, creating a uniform surface.

In the master suite, the walls painted with a textured sandy hue, referencing the tones of the marble flooring. The headboard stands out as a light-colored wood volume, matching the other surfaces and spanning the entire length of the main wall. A niche serves as a side table, while the upper surface of the cabinetry holds a painting by Paulo Whitaker (Untitled, 2024). In the walk-in closet, the glass-fronted wardrobes with bronze-reflective doors partially reveal the items inside.

Marble panels completely cover the master suite bathroom, from the floor to the walls, countertop, and ceiling. The door to the private space is clad in the same material, and the circular metallic handle was custom-designed for the project, emphasizing the attention to detail.

The additional suites have similar layouts. To enhance the natural materials, the marble flooring extends to the headboard. The curved edge of the surface extends a few centimeters, creating a slim shelf for displaying artwork. The side wall is also covered in stone, while the baseboard features a slightly rounded edge, creating a surface that unfolds throughout the space.

The upholstered bed was designed by the Meireles+Pavan team and follows the neutral tones of the architecture. Stone shelves, artwork, and the Sino wall sconces with chrome finish (designed by Estúdio Orth) complete the composition.

To meet the need for an individual study space, a suspended desk positioned below the window benefits from natural light, with integrated drawers in the cabinetry.

To maintain continuity of materials, marble panels cover the bathrooms, while the wardrobes have doors in a sandy tone, matching the suite’s color.

Project: Mafema Apartment
Location: São Paulo, SP
Area: 232m²
Project Year: 2023
Completion Year: 2024
Architecture and Interior Design: Meireles+Pavan
Responsible Architects: André Pavan, Brunno Meireles
Engineering: Grife
Lighting Design: Illumination (Rodrigo Jardim)
Automation Design: Performance
Landscaping Design: Jaya Paisagismo
Photography: Arthur Duarte
Video: Raphael Borges
Text/Communication: Matheus Pereira
Main Suppliers: Plancus (joinery); Ornare (wardrobes); Nani Chinellato (straw cladding for joinery); Galeria Della Pietra (stones); Gasometro (ceiling); Illumination (lighting); Elight (ceiling and joinery lighting); Performance (sound and audio); Bellflex (curtains); Design Cellar (climate-controlled wine cellar); Enjoy House (appliances); Kohler (sanitary ware and faucets); Interbagno (bathtub).