Bananeira Apartment Renovation: Modern Living in São Paulo

Nestled in an iconic 1970s building in São Paulo, Brazil, the Bananeira Apartment underwent a transformative renovation led by Angá Arquitetura in collaboration with Estúdio Pedro Luna. Spanning 133 m², this project reimagines a once conventional apartment into a contemporary, functional, and aesthetically striking home that truly reflects the residents’ personalities.

From Outdated Layout to Open-Concept Living

Originally, the apartment featured a closed kitchen, a maid’s room, and three bedrooms, with dark wood floors and a classic plaster ceiling that felt disconnected from the family’s lifestyle. The design challenge was to maximize existing structures while creating a fluid layout that enhances light, space, and usability. Gas and water points were preserved to reduce costs, while strategic openings in the hall, kitchen, and one bedroom transformed the living area into a spacious, integrated zone.

A "green tunnel" visually guides visitors through the hall, and functional zoning is defined through furniture placement. The island sofa separates the living and TV area, while a thoughtfully positioned dining table delineates the kitchen space, balancing functionality and visual flow.

Sustainable Materials and Reclaimed Details

A defining feature of the Bananeira Apartment is its creative reuse of materials. A brick wall, running through the dining and living rooms, originated from a demolition in the client’s brother’s apartment. This sustainable approach not only reduced waste but also imbued the home with character and history. Atop the brick wall, a wooden shelf crafted from the old apartment flooring adds a refined finishing touch.

Functional and Aesthetic Kitchen Design

The kitchen is a central focus, featuring a large island for cooking and casual seating. Appliances, including the refrigerator, stove, oven, and microwave, are discreetly tucked away, maintaining a clean and minimalist view from the living area. Green quartzite del mare countertops and white-textured surfaces, including hydraulic tiles and natural wood veneers, create a vibrant yet cohesive palette. Custom-designed cabinet handles in laser-cut metal with green electrostatic paint highlight the apartment’s attention to detail.

A playful, elevated planter above the refrigerator adds a dynamic element, accessible via a metal sailor ladder, while mirrors strategically reflect the stripped slab ceiling, giving the kitchen an airy, detached look.

Innovative Lighting Solutions

Lighting throughout the apartment was carefully considered to create intimate yet flexible atmospheres. Metal shelves serve dual purposes, incorporating directional spots, LED strips, and folded metal luminaires for dining and kitchen areas. Some central ceiling points were transformed into round brass mirrors, reflecting light and enhancing the spatial experience. These shelves also function as plant supports and curtain rods, balancing utility and design elegance.

Personalized Furniture and Living Spaces

The apartment’s furniture is a curated mix of family heirlooms, Studio Pedro Luna pieces, and custom designs using fallen tree wood. In the living room, two sofas, an armchair, a bench, and a coffee table form a conversational circle, while the rectangular dining table features six green chairs in three distinct models: Enxada, Gravatá, and Pedrita.

The first bedroom, now a TV room, features a wooden veneer niche for barware, record players, and vinyl collections, eliminating the need for bulky TV furniture. The second bedroom serves as a home office, with custom desks and veneered cabinets, complemented by a green futon sofa that doubles as a guest bed.

Bathrooms and Master Suite

The powder room, which also functions as a guest bathroom, was updated with quartzite countertops and green hydraulic tile flooring, while maintaining existing fixtures for sustainability.

The master suite embraces minimalism, with a demolished old closet replaced by a new walk-in wardrobe accessed through the former maid’s room. A headboard made from demolition bricks extends across the wall, creating a tactile, architectural feature. The suite’s bathroom features a blue hydraulic tile floor and a smaller countertop, making room for a custom planter that brings nature indoors.

Multi-Functional Laundry and Workshop

The laundry area integrates essential functions with a small workshop for adjustments to designer pieces. Low cabinets store tools and cleaning products, while the absence of overhead cabinetry ensures the space feels open and uncluttered.

A Harmonious Blend of Design and Lifestyle

The Bananeira Apartment is a prime example of modern residential renovation, combining open-concept living, sustainable material use, and personalized design solutions. Every detail, from reclaimed bricks to custom lighting and furniture, creates a cohesive environment that is both practical and visually inspiring.

All photographs are works of  Maíra Acayaba