BMB Apartment is a minimal home located in São Paulo, Brazil, designed by VOA Arquitetura. The designer behind a recent residential project aimed to create a modern home with an open, calming aesthetic while preserving the apartment’s original features. The space originally lacked natural light and was divided into small rooms, leaving the clients’ needs unmet. To achieve the desired feeling of openness, the designer took down walls and created a long, curved island to connect the main living room, office, dining room, and a nook for a bar and records. The use of raw concrete and natural materials, such as plaster, Brazilian wood, and Guatemalan marble, contributed to a seamless connection between spaces.

Preserving the past was a priority for the designer, who incorporated original features from the 70s, including wooden floors and furniture from the previous owners. A combination of original pieces from Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues and contemporary pieces added an interesting duality to the project. The designer chose warm tones to create a serene atmosphere, while textures from the multiple materials added a tactile dimension to the space. The clients also requested to leave several walls bare, to fill them with art and meaningful elements over time, thus adding value and purpose to the living space through design and everyday life.

Photography by Rafael Renzo