LA Apartment

LA Apartment: 1960s architecture reinterpreted by Superlimão Balancing memory and transformation, the architects designed a space that values light, fluidity and timeless materials São Paulo, 2024 — With large windows, cross ventilation and timeless materials, LA Apartment already had architectural qualities that were rare in São Paulo. With the acquisition of the new owners, however, the space (which had never been renovated) gained an even more modern dynamic, balancing memory and transformation in a central core that connects all the rooms of the home. Located in an iconic 1960s building, the apartment originally had a compartmentalized and sectorized plan, which reflected the housing model of the time. Superlimão's proposal was not only to remove walls, but to reconfigure the internal flows, creating more natural connections between the rooms. The challenge was to balance memory and transformation, creating a space that respects the essence of the building, but redefines its relationship with light, materials and functionality. Light, fluidity and integration By rethinking the division, the dining room was integrated into the living room, expanding the sense of space and highlighting the large windows that run along the entire façade. The family piano, a central piece in the apartment's identity, was given a setting designed to stand out within this new flow. The kitchen, in turn, maintained its independent character, but gained visual permeability through a sliding door. The updated design allows it to function both integrated and isolated, depending on the needs of the residents. “We didn’t want to lose the piano space, since the idea was for it to have a backdrop. That’s why we decided to keep the wall behind it. We also didn’t want to open up the kitchen and make it super open — which is why we opted for a space with visual permeability, depending on how the door opens,” explains Antonio Carlos, architect partner at Superlimão. In the private area, one of the old bedrooms was converted into a suite, while another room was transformed into a music studio, designed with specific acoustic treatment for sound absorption. The office, which can also be a guest room, adds flexibility to the layout. Preservation as a language In a project that balances past and present, materiality was an essential tool for this transition. The original wooden floor — one of the highlights of the apartment, due to the pattern applied to the material — was restored, bringing a texture that carries time as part of the aesthetic. In the hall and the bathroom, memory is in the details: the peeling tiles reveal layers of time, while original china and metalwork were maintained and restored. The original marble flooring was also preserved in both rooms. In the kitchen, the 1960s extractor fan and the flooring were restored, preserving the space's historic presence. The apartment's lighting is one of the aspects that guarantees all the poetry and efficiency stipulated in the concept. Instead of focal points marked by visible light fixtures, built-in electrical ducts were integrated into the project, combining indirect lighting and air conditioning in a single element. This system creates a cozy and functional environment, maintaining the clean aesthetic and valuing the original materials. A careful interpretation of 1960s architecture for today, Apartamento LA is marked not only by nostalgic architecture, but also by furniture full of history. This is because all the elements share the same origins: if they are not from the owners' personal collection or family members, they are from past Superlimão projects that have found a new use.