Paissandu Apartment is a minimalist apartment located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, designed by Nama. Central to the redesign are five closely spaced, slender pillars. These have been ingeniously integrated into the space by encasing them in an irregularly shaped structure of raw concrete that also encompasses the refrigerator and cabinets, forming a circular pathway within the apartment. The design team has embraced a minimalist aesthetic, opting to expose the structural concrete beams and pillars. This choice is complemented by the extensive use of stainless steel furniture, creating a stark contrast between the raw, industrial feel of the concrete and the sleek, polished appearance of the metal. The overall effect aims to produce a space that feels both surreal and sculptural. The apartment’s floors and walls utilize a techno cement and are painted in a textured, sand-colored finish that mimics the look of raw concrete, contributing to the overall muted palette.
This choice of colors and textures transforms the apartment into a neutral ‘blank canvas,’ ready for future personalization. Spatial boundaries within the apartment are defined by the building’s beam structure rather than traditional walls, with frosted glass sliding doors used to separate or merge spaces as needed. These doors enhance the apartment’s openness, allowing for the interplay of light and shadow while offering the flexibility to create private areas such as a bedroom when closed. A striking feature near the apartment’s entrance is a large, centrally placed concrete table that appears to float, anchored to one of the structural pillars. This table serves multiple functions, from dining to working space, emphasizing the apartment’s versatility. It also mirrors the sculptural concrete structure that wraps around the existing pillars, which incorporates a stainless steel cabinet for the kitchen.