Casa Leopoldo | PSA Arquitetura

With the Casa Leopoldo building, PSA Arquitetura employs a 'muxarabi' to accentuate distance from the street and infuse dynamism into its layout

The Leopoldo Couto de Magalhães Jr. Street in São Paulo is the address of Casa Leopoldo, a high-end residential project developed by PSA Arquitetura for Bolsa de Imóveis developer. This location is one of the most prized in Itaim Bibi, just two blocks from Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, financial center of capital, and two blocks from Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek Avenue.

The apartments boast three or four suites, spread across floor plans ranging from 335 m² to 821 m², with sweeping views provided by glassed-in balconies on all facades. The slabs extend beyond the balustrade, emphasizing the lightness and elegance of the design, simulating them as if merely stacked on top of each other.

The volumetrics are divided into symmetrically organized horizontal segments to convey a sense of harmony and lightness. This concept is accentuated by the way the slabs seem to be only loosely stacked, akin to independent blocks connected by the support columns, resulting in a cohesive and slender composition.

The horizontal and perpendicular lines create a grid that appears denser near the central region of the facade, gradually dissolving towards the edges, elegantly integrating the building with the city skyline.

The primary challenge faced by the team was to develop a high-end building on a somewhat restricted plot of 1,300 m2. "This limitation required the team to conceive a perfect fit between the program and the future residents' needs," states Pablo Slemenson, the principal partner at the firm. As a result, the common area is relatively modest, comprising a swimming pool, gym, sauna, massage area, and a playroom. Instead of a party hall, a generous lobby with a lounge area was chosen. All spaces carefully consider and enhance the cityscape.

The program was thoughtfully designed to provide integration and privacy. In addition to optimizing floor plans, a hallmark of PSA Arquitetura's work, attention was given to streamline internal circulation. A prime example is the direct access created between the service area and the apartments' private quarters.

Muxarabi

To address the proximity between the building and the street, a challenge presented by the plot's modest size, the team looked to Arab architecture for inspiration. "We addressed this issue by proposing the installation of a metal 'muxarabi' on the facade," says Slemenson. "This way, we created a sense of separation between the interior and the exterior, making the building more sheltered from the street."

This feature consists of a lattice used to control both ventilation and natural light. In the case of the Casa Leopoldo building, it filters the interaction between the ground floor and the urban space while shaping the project's identity and highlighting the structural lightness. The interplay between voids and solids, where the windows themselves are situated, introduces dynamism and rhythm to the layout.

The muxarabi also contrasts with the robustness of the exposed solid brick cladding, chosen for its durability. In addition to being weather-resistant, these materials don't corrode and are highly resistant to degradation over time. Their natural thermal and acoustic insulation properties assist in regulating the building's internal temperature and reducing external noise transmission.

Casa Leopoldo is the 13th project undertaken by the firm for the same client. Commencing in 1998, the partnership with developer Bolsa de Imóveis is one of the most enduring and successful relationships for PSA Arquitetura, combining excellent design possibilities with São Paulo's premium locations.