Between concrete and greenery, this house-like apartment in Vila Romana brings architecture and nature together, embracing light, shadow, wind, vegetation, and water.
Iporanga is a word of Tupi origin meaning "beautiful river."
The boundary between indoors and outdoors is dissolved by integrating the covered spaces with the external garden and deck, uniquely positioned in front of the tree-lined Praça Diogo Amaral—a privileged location in São Paulo.
A natural dendê palm ceiling was designed for the covered terrace, above the dining and living areas, casting a soft, lace-like light that enhances the cozy atmosphere.
As a design principle, the bathroom and powder room were grouped into a single volume, accentuated by a bamboo green millwork block. The contrast between this element, the freijó wood paneling, and the exposed concrete creates an elegant, airy, and joyful identity.
The kitchen and laundry area are housed within a minimalist freijó wood volume, featuring a calacatta stone niche. This design establishes a dialogue with the freijó wood panel on the opposite side of the living room, which marks the transition to the private quarters. The centrally positioned island integrates seamlessly with the concrete pillar and the dining table design.
To highlight the craftsmanship of the custom cabinetry, all appliances were built-in—including the refrigerator and the air conditioning units.
Materiality plays a key role in defining the spaces: the powder room is clad in white pebble stone, the outdoor spa in hijau stone, the deck in cumaru wood, and the indoor spa in fine-grained porcelain.
More than a renovation, this transformation redefines the essence of living: a sensory refuge where every material tells a story, every detail serves a purpose, and time flows at a renewed pace.
Team:
Architects: Alvorada Arquitetos
Execution and management: davila arquitetura
Millwork: machado de assis marcenaria
Photographer: Pedro Kok
Materials Used:
Roofing: Palm thatch ceiling, Bambuibr
Interior lighting: LED, Ipel Iluminação
Interior furniture: Calacatta Stone, Marimar Pedras
Melamine-coated board, Formica
