Stone, wood, metal, and marble: Finely tuned together, the materials are called upon to define the geometry of this duplex apartment. Another project by Fernanda Marques takes shape in São Paulo: an airy, 550 m2, 3-suite apartment in the south of the city, meticulously planned for embracing a spectacular view.

Project name-Artsy
Author-Fernanda Marques
Type-Apartment
Project completion date-2022
Location-São Paulo, SP – Brazil
Area-550m²
Photographer-Fernando Guerra

Artsy project by Fernanda Marques-Sheet1
©Fernando Guerra

An express request by the owner was to visually integrate the living area and the terrace, ensuring the apartment is remarkably well lit. This is further enhanced by the continuous succession of spaces that make up its design, with no specific partitions or major visual breaks. It is no surprise, then, that the living room area became the main reference in the home.

“A major challenge in this project was to integrate the spaces in such a radical manner yet ensure that the atmosphere is pleasant and warm, ready to entertain. That’s why the idea of the gourmet kitchen came up”, says Fernanda, who, to that end, chose a rather unconventional layout for the living room.

Artsy project by Fernanda Marques-Sheet5
©Fernando Guerra

“The client was very open and receptive to new ideas, something that contributed a lot to the project.”, she says. So, with the marble carved fireplace designed by Fernanda as the focal point in the living room, the architect set up small spaces, simply marked by exclusive objects and art pieces. The result was a hybrid, laid-back and unequal layout – asymmetric but still capable of suggesting an unusual sense of perfect balance.

“What appeals to me the most in this project is the subtle symbiosis between our project and the clients’ unique art collection. The visual and spatial modern continuity with a splash of Brecheret and Di Cavalcanti artwork. It was a humbling opportunity to have one of my projects hold such important and renowned artists.” says Fernanda.

Artsy project by Fernanda Marques-Sheet7
©Fernando Guerra

“I selected neutral shades for the walls, a floor and main pieces of furniture, to make sure the works of art and design pieces would stand out. They are fundamentally important in creating the atmosphere I wanted to imprint the apartment with”, explains Fernanda.

Artsy project by Fernanda Marques-Sheet9
©Fernando Guerra

So, in the living room the floors were covered in travertine, while the walls covered in white slatted wooden panels, and the transitioning of the rooms were marked by an ebonized wooden portico. In the gourmet area Fernanda covered the cupboards in a brown tobacco color. A natural appeal that is noted is the choice of pocket doors for the panel that separates the living from the master bedroom in the upper floor. It’s quite an effect: when closed, the door provides a continuous view of the double height ceiling surface. Another panel, this time made from Calacatta Oro marble covers a main area of the living room. According to Fernanda, the idea is to break up the prevailing linearity of the space. Though it does not, in any way, break the sense of unity that emanates from this delicate composition.

Artsy project by Fernanda Marques-Sheet10
©Fernando Guerra
Author

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