Cinderela Building Apartment Renovation by QWE Studio

Contemporary Apartment Renovation for a Young Couple

The Cinderela Building Apartment, redesigned by QWE Studio, is a 95m² residential renovation project in São Paulo, crafted to reflect the dynamic lifestyle of a young couple. The project prioritized spatial fluidity, natural light, and functional design, transforming a previously compartmentalized apartment into a contemporary, open-plan home.

The renovation began with the complete demolition of internal walls, allowing for a reconfiguration of the apartment’s layout. This intervention focused on improving circulation, creating functional zones, and enhancing visual connectivity. The result is a permeable and continuous spatial flow that responds to modern living patterns.

Linear and Fluid Spatial Organization

The apartment’s new layout is structured along two horizontal axes, which define the linear and continuous arrangement of the spaces, while respecting the building’s original structural grid. Situated on a corner lot with three facades, the apartment benefits from cross ventilation and abundant natural light, enhancing comfort in all rooms except for the guest bathroom.

All service areas—kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms—are concentrated in a single core, freeing up space for open living areas. The kitchen opens directly into a secondary bedroom/office, establishing a visual axis that spans the apartment from the front to the back facade. This design enhances perceived spatial depth and connectivity throughout the home.

Integrated Furniture and Material Continuity

Instead of conventional walls, the apartment’s internal divisions are primarily defined by custom wooden cabinetry. These cabinets delineate functional zones, create permeable boundaries, and house essential appliances, minimizing intrusive construction elements.

The original wooden plank flooring was carefully restored, preserving the building’s material memory and ensuring visual continuity across spaces. This combination of preserved heritage elements and contemporary design details creates a harmonious balance of old and new.

Customized Lighting and Functional Details

Lighting plays a central role in the apartment’s ambiance. QWE Studio designed a modular, standardized lighting system featuring metal profiles and dimmable LED lamps, allowing residents to adjust lighting according to usage and time of day. All fixtures are custom-integrated, seamlessly blending with cabinetry and architecture.

Additionally, all built-in furniture—including cabinets and countertops—incorporates hidden niches, drying racks, and trash bins, keeping equipment discreet while maintaining the apartment’s continuous, unobstructed spatial flow.

A Modern Apartment That Blends Functionality with Style

The Cinderela Building Apartment exemplifies contemporary residential design in São Paulo, merging modern living requirements with timeless materials. The renovation emphasizes openness, natural light, and integrated furniture, resulting in a comfortable, elegant, and practical home for a young couple.