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Windows in the laundry room offer a glimpse of the garden.
Windows in the laundry room offer a glimpse of the garden.
Architects Simone Carneiro and Alexandre Skaff transformed a cramped São Paulo apartment into a mid-city refuge for Simone Santos. On the terrace, plants, vines, and pergolas form a barrier against the city’s notorious noise and pollution.
Architects Simone Carneiro and Alexandre Skaff transformed a cramped São Paulo apartment into a mid-city refuge for Simone Santos. On the terrace, plants, vines, and pergolas form a barrier against the city’s notorious noise and pollution.
Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.
Weinfeld’s cinematic streak is also evident in the home’s interiors: he designed the entertainment center in the media room. The rug is from Clatt Carpete & Cia. Throughout the house, the Strozenbergs use floor-to-ceiling curtains for privacy.
SAO Arquitetura designed the bed and the board-formed concrete headboard in Santos’s master bedroom.
SAO Arquitetura designed the bed and the board-formed concrete headboard in Santos’s master bedroom.
São Paulo, population 21,390,000. São Paulo is one of two megacities in South America. The other is Buenos Aires, with a relatively modest population of 16,500,000.
São Paulo, population 21,390,000. São Paulo is one of two megacities in South America. The other is Buenos Aires, with a relatively modest population of 16,500,000.
The graphic tile covers the floor, walls, and ceiling. The kitchen millwork was done by Inovart Carpentry.
The graphic tile covers the floor, walls, and ceiling. The kitchen millwork was done by Inovart Carpentry.
Perforated concrete blocks in the guest bathroom provide ventilation and discreet views of the patio.
Perforated concrete blocks in the guest bathroom provide ventilation and discreet views of the patio.
Decameron (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan turned an empty urban alley into a neon-drenched retreat, complete with a small garden, by repurposing shipping containers. Photo by Pedro Vannucchi
Decameron (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan turned an empty urban alley into a neon-drenched retreat, complete with a small garden, by repurposing shipping containers. Photo by Pedro Vannucchi
They replaced the tile floor with perobinha, an inexpensive local wood, and enclosed part of the terrace, integrating it into the dining room. J104 chairs by Jørgen Bækmark for Hay are arranged around a freijo wood dining table by Etel Carmona.
They replaced the tile floor with perobinha, an inexpensive local wood, and enclosed part of the terrace, integrating it into the dining room. J104 chairs by Jørgen Bækmark for Hay are arranged around a freijo wood dining table by Etel Carmona.
This approximately 1,400-square-foot apartment in São Paulo belongs to a couple, who called in architect Diego Revollo to reconfigure the layout and refresh the space. A Suita sofa and a Petit Repos chair from Vitra outfit the living area.
This approximately 1,400-square-foot apartment in São Paulo belongs to a couple, who called in architect Diego Revollo to reconfigure the layout and refresh the space. A Suita sofa and a Petit Repos chair from Vitra outfit the living area.
In the kitchen, Silestone countertops were installed above custom plywood cabinets finished with automotive paint.
In the kitchen, Silestone countertops were installed above custom plywood cabinets finished with automotive paint.
A Flag Halyard chair by Hans Wegner in long-haired sheepskin occupies one end of the living room.
A Flag Halyard chair by Hans Wegner in long-haired sheepskin occupies one end of the living room.
Another view of the apartment before it was renovated.
Another view of the apartment before it was renovated.
Carneiro and Skaff demolished a wall that had enclosed the old kitchen to open up the 2,045-square-foot apartment.
Carneiro and Skaff demolished a wall that had enclosed the old kitchen to open up the 2,045-square-foot apartment.
In this Brazilian home, São Paulo studio Jacobsen Arquitetura placed laminated timber porticoes approximately 1.31 feet apart, to create a dynamic linear aesthetics that brings to mind the tori gates of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine.
In this Brazilian home, São Paulo studio Jacobsen Arquitetura placed laminated timber porticoes approximately 1.31 feet apart, to create a dynamic linear aesthetics that brings to mind the tori gates of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine.
Revollo chose to line the kitchen in printed Frame porcelain tile from Refin in order to energize the room. Custom cabinetry surrounds an Electrolux refrigerator. Mega Bulb pendant lights from &Tradition hang above the countertop.
Revollo chose to line the kitchen in printed Frame porcelain tile from Refin in order to energize the room. Custom cabinetry surrounds an Electrolux refrigerator. Mega Bulb pendant lights from &Tradition hang above the countertop.
Though the main living spaces are connected, Revollo also used varying materials to create a range of experiences—the living area, covered with a gray carpet, is distinguished from the dining area, as well as the semi-enclosed kitchen. A pair of Redondo chairs from Moroso form a casual sitting area.
Though the main living spaces are connected, Revollo also used varying materials to create a range of experiences—the living area, covered with a gray carpet, is distinguished from the dining area, as well as the semi-enclosed kitchen. A pair of Redondo chairs from Moroso form a casual sitting area.
On the terrace, plants, vines, and pergolas form a barrier against the city’s notorious noise and pollution.
On the terrace, plants, vines, and pergolas form a barrier against the city’s notorious noise and pollution.
The living room is furnished with a cherry-red Rest sofa and ottoman by Muuto, a Nest footstool by Foersom & Hjort-Lorenzen for Cane-Line, and a Redondo armchair by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso. A Kast modular storage unit by Maarten Van Severen for Vitra sits under the television.
The living room is furnished with a cherry-red Rest sofa and ottoman by Muuto, a Nest footstool by Foersom & Hjort-Lorenzen for Cane-Line, and a Redondo armchair by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso. A Kast modular storage unit by Maarten Van Severen for Vitra sits under the television.
Two Jens Risom Lounge Chairs furnish the balcony, which Revollo expanded. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors allow natural light to fill the interior.
Two Jens Risom Lounge Chairs furnish the balcony, which Revollo expanded. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors allow natural light to fill the interior.
A shot of the terrace before renovation.
A shot of the terrace before renovation.
Nearly 500 miles from the high-rise apartment that Ralph Weigand and Maurício Uhle share in São Paulo sits a modest, prefabricated cabin, nestled deep in one of southern Brazil’s verdant forests.
Nearly 500 miles from the high-rise apartment that Ralph Weigand and Maurício Uhle share in São Paulo sits a modest, prefabricated cabin, nestled deep in one of southern Brazil’s verdant forests.
Lalita stands in front of the coffee nook in the couple’s kitchen—one of several details that relates to their shared Brazilian heritage. Her childhood was split between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while Fabio grew up in São Paulo before moving to various cities around the world as part of his career in advertising.
Lalita stands in front of the coffee nook in the couple’s kitchen—one of several details that relates to their shared Brazilian heritage. Her childhood was split between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while Fabio grew up in São Paulo before moving to various cities around the world as part of his career in advertising.
The husband is a psychoanalyst who attends to patients in São Paulo as well as in the home—hence the generous proportions of the library and office.
The husband is a psychoanalyst who attends to patients in São Paulo as well as in the home—hence the generous proportions of the library and office.
A cement-tile floor carves a path through the dining room as it runs the length of the apartment, blurring the boundary between inside and out.
A cement-tile floor carves a path through the dining room as it runs the length of the apartment, blurring the boundary between inside and out.
A Muuto Stacked shelf system hugs the wall beneath the window in the dining room.
A Muuto Stacked shelf system hugs the wall beneath the window in the dining room.
The top priorities for Chalet M—a small, plywood cabin in the suburban area of São Lourenço da Serra in São Paulo, Brazil—were to ensure the lightest possible footprint on its forest site, and to maximize the experience of being one with nature for its owners.
The top priorities for Chalet M—a small, plywood cabin in the suburban area of São Lourenço da Serra in São Paulo, Brazil—were to ensure the lightest possible footprint on its forest site, and to maximize the experience of being one with nature for its owners.
An aerial view of a WaterlilliHaus prefab floating on a lake near Joanópolis, Brazil, about two hours north of São Paulo. SysHaus also offers two smaller versions: the MiniHaus and the NanoHaus.
An aerial view of a WaterlilliHaus prefab floating on a lake near Joanópolis, Brazil, about two hours north of São Paulo. SysHaus also offers two smaller versions: the MiniHaus and the NanoHaus.
Comprising 11 modules, this green-roofed prefab was built in 90 days in a factory near São Paulo and then transported to the site in three shipments on flatbed trucks.
Comprising 11 modules, this green-roofed prefab was built in 90 days in a factory near São Paulo and then transported to the site in three shipments on flatbed trucks.
For this nature ensconced residence near Brazil’s Itamambuca Beach, São Paulo studio Arquitetura Gui Mattos used a concrete slab for the roof structure, which takes the form of an inverted prism, with its tip pointing downwards from the center of the ceiling.
For this nature ensconced residence near Brazil’s Itamambuca Beach, São Paulo studio Arquitetura Gui Mattos used a concrete slab for the roof structure, which takes the form of an inverted prism, with its tip pointing downwards from the center of the ceiling.
In this Brazilian home, São Paulo studio Jacobsen Arquitetura placed laminated timber porticoes approximately 1.31 feet apart, to create a dynamic linear aesthetics that brings to mind the tori gates of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine.
In this Brazilian home, São Paulo studio Jacobsen Arquitetura placed laminated timber porticoes approximately 1.31 feet apart, to create a dynamic linear aesthetics that brings to mind the tori gates of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari shrine.
Created for a design showcase in São Paulo, Loft Ninho is a warm, oak-wrapped space with an en suite bedroom box. The bookshelf separating the bedroom and bathroom is the "Icon" system from "Sollos" by Brazilian designer Jader Almeida, and creates a natural delineation.
Created for a design showcase in São Paulo, Loft Ninho is a warm, oak-wrapped space with an en suite bedroom box. The bookshelf separating the bedroom and bathroom is the "Icon" system from "Sollos" by Brazilian designer Jader Almeida, and creates a natural delineation.
Nestled in the jungle of São Paulo, Casa de Vidro (or Glass House) was the first built project by architect Lina Bo Bardi. Its glass volume stands on thin support columns that allow greenery to grow into the home.
Nestled in the jungle of São Paulo, Casa de Vidro (or Glass House) was the first built project by architect Lina Bo Bardi. Its glass volume stands on thin support columns that allow greenery to grow into the home.
SysHaus completed their first project—a 2,217-square-foot, single-story home in São Paulo—in collaboration with local architecture studio Arthur Casas Design, who was responsible for the furniture selection, utility systems, finishes, and interior accessories.
SysHaus completed their first project—a 2,217-square-foot, single-story home in São Paulo—in collaboration with local architecture studio Arthur Casas Design, who was responsible for the furniture selection, utility systems, finishes, and interior accessories.
Located in São Paulo, Brazil, this serene outdoor space is part of the Aigai Spa, which was designed by figueroa.arq, but it could just as easily be someone’s home. The elongated pool runs the length of the patio and at one end hangs a multicolored swinging chair. Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti
Located in São Paulo, Brazil, this serene outdoor space is part of the Aigai Spa, which was designed by figueroa.arq, but it could just as easily be someone’s home. The elongated pool runs the length of the patio and at one end hangs a multicolored swinging chair. Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti
“From our windows, I can see São Paulo and its constant buzz,” says Ticiana. The serene home’s distance from São Paulo’s ceaseless thrum and miasmic traffic can be a valuable thing, indeed.
“From our windows, I can see São Paulo and its constant buzz,” says Ticiana. The serene home’s distance from São Paulo’s ceaseless thrum and miasmic traffic can be a valuable thing, indeed.

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