Vitra Apartment | WF Arquitetos

WF Architects adapts an apartment in Vitra Building into a family apartment.

Sophisticated and contemporary, the architecture of interiors interacts with the project signed by Daniel Libeskind.

One of the most recent architectural icons in São Paulo capital, the Vitra Building located at Itaim neighborhood, has the signature of the distinguished Polish architect, naturalized American Daniel Libeskind. The project drew the attention of a couple with a two-year old daughter and another child on the way. As art and architecture lovers, they liked the bold project so much that they purchased a 600-m2 apartment.

In order to meet the needs, the original project plan needed to be adapted without losing its essence. To do so, they counted on the talent of the architects Beatriz Fujinaka and Stephanie Nigri Wolff, from WF Architects, who converted the four small master bedrooms into three larger size master bedrooms and a closet plus one individual master for the couple, each with their own toilet and closet. “In addition we incorporated the small open porch and the TV room by making one big room fully integrated. We have also opened the kitchen to have a dining area. ”they say.

They have overcome many challenges of the large, irregular and asymmetric area for the desired results. “The external walls make irregular corners and many times show that they are leaning vertically. Loose round pillars that are spread all around the living room and the bedrooms compose the structure. By these means, it is not possible to think about very conventional plants.”

Therefore, Beatriz and Stephanie opted for layouts that are more fluid. The living room free of walls and signalized only by the pillars allowed the furniture to be harmoniously placed. “We selected sofas, tables and armchairs of great dimensions and created a subtle division between the living room and the TV room. A low leather poof makes the division and integration of the area.” 

The shower area was designed with wide dimensions just like a private spa. According to clients ‘request who wanted somewhere in the apartment an indoor garden, the architects chose that spot to be. “We have made a wood lath-work ceiling that simulates zenithal natural lighting and we have created a dry garden with plants that require very little water and light.” 

Creative solutions

As the project has a glass instead of external walls, the environments get visibly cold. In order to provide warmth to the place, the architects covered the coating and the walls of the social area with oak, which can be also found on the floors and in the bedroom area. Other innovations are rugs, fabrics and curtains giving a pleasant touch. Inspired by the architectural style of the building, a marble bench runs the living room perimeter providing a singular area. 

The carpentry of WF Architects is a highlight. With a clean design, it has details, which accents the apartment like the 4-meter length sideboard that looks like crossing the round column providing lightness to the area. The doors that divide the rooms open themselves and when they close, they disappear and look like part of the room. The walls of the hallway, which lead to the bedrooms, have  panels coating with Ash leaf, which are responsible for the lighting.

In the decor, imported pieces are predominant. The Flag Halyard armchairs, created by Hans Wegner; an Alceo dining table by Antonio Citterio (B&B Italia); Mills chairs and side tables by Rodolfo Dordoni (Minotti); a pendent by Jason Miller (Roll&Hill); linen sofas by Minotti; blue leather armchairs by Franco Albini (Cassina); and a Giuseppe Manzoni, (Baxter), armchair in the master bedroom. The Brazilian touch shows up on a piece of the Campana brothers on the main hallway and on an artwork of Vik Muniz in the master bedroom.

Author:  WF Architects

Location: Itaim Bibi, São Paulo, SP

Project year: 2012

Constructed area: 600-m2

Coatings: a crema marfil levigated marble floor, walls coated with Ash wood paneling and an American oak lining on the social areas and kitchen; oak floors in the bedrooms; oak floors on the dry areas and crema marfil levigated marble floor in the shower, walls and bathroom countertops in the master bedroom; floors, walls and white marble countertops in guest and baby´s bathrooms. In this last, shelves are made of red silestone; the sink in the small bathroom in marble with the front polished stainless steel.