Small Apartment Renovation Lifts The Furniture Off The Awesome Green Floor

Most often than not, the renovation of an apartment has as a goal the reinvention of the space and in some cases that means a complete overhaul and a fresh start. That happened a while ago in Sao Paulo, Brazil when an apartment situated at the 18th floor of a historic building was renovated by Vão. The building dates back to the 1950’s and serves as a landmark but the apartments inside it, this one in particular, are quite small which can be a big inconvenient.

With a total interior area of only 46 square meters, this apartment is not exactly...at least not in theory
With a total interior area of only 46 square meters, this apartment is not exactly…at least not in theory
After the latest renovation a lot has changes and the apartment went from being small and cramped to being large and open
After the latest renovation a lot has changes and the apartment went from being small and cramped to being large and open

The small footprint of the apartment didn’t discourage the architects. In fact, it just made them more interested in the idea of customizing the interior in a way that deals with this problem creatively. The strategy chosen meant that all interior walls of the original plan had to be demolished. It was a drastic decision but the results made it all worth it. By removing the walls, the architects were able to open up the entire space and to emphasize the view of downtown Sao Paulo as well as to create the impression of a much bigger and brighter space.

The thing that instantly stands out in the new design is the floor which is green and shiny
The thing that instantly stands out in the new design is the floor which is green and shiny
Most of the furniture is lifted off the floor and suspended from the ceiling helping to emphasize the openness of the space
Most of the furniture is lifted off the floor and suspended from the ceiling helping to emphasize the openness of the space

This decision also meant that there was no longer a clear division between spaces. The architects solved this issue by creating a new and completely different organization strategy. The kitchen, living area and bedroom are now divided by furniture which, by the way, is quite unusual. The furniture pieces (some of them at least) are suspended and float above the floor. This is an important detail which further contributes to the overall open and spacious feel of the apartment’s new interior design.

The green floor extends in all the different areas of the apartment including the kitchen
The green floor extends in all the different areas of the apartment including the kitchen
The floor is the design element which links all the spaces and which gives the apartment cohesion
The floor is the design element which links all the spaces and which gives the apartment cohesion

Now let’s talk about the most eye-catching feature in the whole apartment: the floor. It has an awesome green tint and it’s one of the two elements which unify all the spaces, the second one being the bare concrete ceiling. And speaking of concrete, that’s also what the kitchen countertop is made of and it looks really cool, especially since it’s so long and in perfect sync with its surroundings.

Everything in the apartment is designed to be space-efficient and to maximize the functionality
Everything in the apartment is designed to be space-efficient and to maximize the functionality
The concrete countertop adds a subtle industrial touch to the kitchen and shares a strong connection with the kitchen
The concrete countertop adds a subtle industrial touch to the kitchen and shares a strong connection with the kitchen

As far as furniture goes, there’s one module which stands out: the suspended timber unit which separates the living room from the sleeping area. It’s a multifunctional element which provides storage for books and electronics on one side and a wardrobe on the other. It also has the role of providing privacy for the bedroom. The bathroom is adjacent to the sleeping area and, although small, has a very breezy feel mostly given by the lack of walls and the presence of translucent glass panels that filter the light and maintain an intimate ambiance inside.

There is no longer a clear division between the living area and the kitchen. Instead it's all done through furniture
There is no longer a clear division between the living area and the kitchen. Instead it’s all done through furniture
The bathroom suffered some major changes as well. Its solid walls were replaced by glass panels
The bathroom suffered some major changes as well. Its solid walls were replaced by glass panels
Inside the bathroom the dividers are made of translucent glass panels
Inside the bathroom the dividers are made of translucent glass panels