The house JF in São Paulo, Brazil, reimagined by Zalc Structurerepresents an impressed mix of brutalist structure and minimalist design, creating a house that’s as a lot a gallery of artwork and concepts as it’s a residing house. Situated within the Higienópolis neighborhood recognized for its modernist architectural landmarks and cultural vibrancy, the 1,959 sq. meter house transformation is greater than a renovation – it’s a assertion of aesthetic and practical innovation tailor-made to satisfy the distinctive wants of the householders, a few artwork collectors with a ardour for design.
The idea behind the JF house was to create an area that mixes the uncooked, monolithic nature of brutalism with the clear, uncluttered traces of minimalism. Brutalism, with its emphasis on unadorned concrete and strict geometric shapes, is usually thought-about austere, even imposing. Nonetheless, in Zalc Arquitetura's arms, brutalist components function the muse for the house's id, whereas minimalist particulars elevate the temper, making the house really feel open, ethereal and welcoming.
The mixing of architectural kinds creates a way of stability, the place the rawness of uncovered concrete slabs and beams is offset by the deliberate simplicity of the design. By stripping the house of pointless ornamentation, structure itself turns into artwork, permitting the pure textures of supplies and furnishings to take heart stage. Each component, from the supplies to the look, contributes to an setting that feels each highly effective and serene.
One of the crucial important modifications within the redesign was the reconfiguration of the house, which displays the studio's dedication to creating an area that’s each lovely and practical. Initially, the house had a small service bed room adjoining to the kitchen – a typical function in older residences in Brazil. By eliminating this room, the architects had been capable of broaden each the kitchen and laundry areas, making them extra sensible for contemporary residing.
The format now options an open plan that connects the social areas – resembling the lounge, eating space and kitchen – whereas sustaining the privateness of the bedrooms and the house. This sense of fluidity is enhanced by sliding metal doorways that may be closed to demarcate totally different areas when wanted, permitting householders flexibility with out sacrificing the general feeling of openness. The built-in design promotes interplay between the areas, making the house ultimate for internet hosting conferences and displaying the couple's intensive artwork assortment. On the similar time, the personal areas of the house stay secluded, offering a retreat from the extra public areas of the house.
One of many excellent options of the renovation is the restoration of the unique marquetry wooden flooring. In its earlier state, the intricate wood flooring was hidden beneath layers of epoxy paint, a remnant of the house's earlier design. Zalc Arquitetura noticed the potential of this historic component and made it a precedence to carry it again to life. The painstaking means of stripping the ground and restoring it to its authentic state was not solely a design selection, however an environmental one. By conserving and revitalizing present supplies, the architects demonstrated a dedication to sustainability, decreasing waste whereas honoring the house's architectural historical past. The refurbished flooring now serves as a heat and natural counterpoint to the in any other case industrial and minimalist environment, grounding the house in its historic roots.
The visible language of the JF house is outlined by means of a impartial, largely monochromatic coloration palette that permits the pure textures of the supplies to talk for themselves. Concrete is a dominant function, forming the spine of the house's aesthetic. Uncovered concrete slabs and beams give the house an industrial high quality, making a placing visible distinction with the clear, easy traces of the minimalist furnishings.
One other spotlight of the brand new design is the incorporation of a curved metal and glass wall that separates the bedrooms from the social areas. This mild curve contrasts superbly with the sharp, linear types typical of Brutalist structure, softening the house and introducing a dynamic interaction between geometry and fluidity. The curved wall not solely provides a sculptural component to the house, but additionally redefines the spatial expertise. It introduces a way of motion, guiding the attention and making a stream that counterbalances in any other case inflexible shapes.
The house's understated coloration scheme is punctuated by daring accent colours present in rigorously chosen items of furnishings, artwork and decor. These vibrant components inject power into the house, offering moments of shock and distinction with out overwhelming the general minimalist tone. The cautious curation of the paintings provides much more depth to the design, as every bit is chosen not just for its aesthetic worth, but additionally for the way it interacts with the house.
Rafael Zalc
To see extra initiatives from Zalc Arquitetura, go to zalc.arq.br.
Photograph by André Mortatti.
