Apartment Cascais | Studio Gabriel Bordin

Brazilian architect Gabriel Bordin crossed the Atlantic for his first project on European soil. With 284.90 m2 divided into the first floor, mezzanine, and rooftop with sea views, the Cascais project, in Portugal, transformed the triplex apartment into a home and cozy Oasis to share good times.

The volume of the space and the double height make the property’s plan unique and allowed the architect to dare and work with loose pieces to give the idea that the objects and furniture make up the environment more fluidly and freshly, reminiscent of the Costa da Guide, where the triplex is located. The simplicity of uses and connections between environments in a light way, highlighting works of art, photographs, meditation, and landscape, are the focus of the project and create a minimalist atmosphere with a contemporary touch.

In the entrance hall, the mirror with a carved wooden frame, signed by Thomas Graeff, and the lithography by Vhils and Maniel Cargaleiro connect the spaces on the first floor - integrated living room, kitchen, dining, two balconies, toilet, laundry room, and the guest suite.

With a more fluid layout, the living room has a sofa made entirely of raw linen and punctuated with green cushions mimicking the color of the foliage of the large fig tree installed in the room, emphasizing the presence of the living room's elevated opening. With an angled shape, the sofa was purposely positioned out of alignment to highlight the connection between the environment and the view of the landscape. The white furniture was designed to give the appearance of being fused to the walls, where a sculpture by Vhils forms the background to the Gio armchair, by Sérgio Rodrigues.

In the dining environment, the tile works by Add Fuel contrast with the eight-seater table made entirely of oak, the solid wood chairs, designed by Jader Almeida, and the straw chandeliers, which invite you to enjoy a casual experience, to welcome friends. and family members. On the balcony, the outdoor pieces also work a lot with wood, rope, and stone, like the rough travertine marble table, designed by Bordin's office exclusively for the international project.

The combination of traditional and modern materials, colors, and textures, such as the wooden block created over the dining area, covering the ceiling and the mezzanine railing with the same element as the unit's floor, make the environment warmer and more cozy.

On the upper floor, the spaces feature photographs by Xan Patron, Antoine Violleau, and Igor Shrayer. The office is built in one of the spaces originally designed as a bedroom, has an exclusive bathroom, and is connected, via a walkway, to the external zen space – integrating work and decompression space. On the same floor, the master suite has a closet and, in the intimate area, the large linen bed is framed by a wooden bedside table and an asymmetrical natural wood log, making the environment welcoming and warm.

From the second floor, a staircase gives access to the rooftop, a space designed to receive guests and to be used throughout the year. A gas fireplace in the center of the room allows for use in colder seasons and the bathtub can be used both to cool off in the heat or for moments of relaxation on days with milder temperatures. The functional bench was designed as a small autonomous kitchen for independent use in the apartment. The stools and chairs feature natural-looking fiber textures.

Two Ombra parasols, designed by Paola Lenti, were installed to ensure dynamism in directing the shade throughout the other spaces on the terrace. Additionally, a tensioned screen was used to create a shaded area over the dining area. “As the wind is powerful in Cascais, there was the challenge of creating a shading area safely due to the climate conditions of the region and we designed a tensioned canvas, which is fitted to the structure of the building, as a way of providing shade without being held hostage by the weather and strong winds”, says Gabriel.

The architect also highlights that the project represents a milestone in his career. “This is our second project outside Brazil and the first in Europe and it has a cool symbolism. When we overcome geographical barriers and take our project perspective to other countries it is fascinating and rewarding”, he concludes.

Photography: Gui Morel

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