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Samuel Garcia and Delia Sloneanu, both architects at Studio Papaya, encountered a fairly blank canvas when they stepped into the 29sqm/312sqft São Paulo apartment of their client. With nothing but a few walls and some basic plumbing to contend with, Garcia and Sloneanu transformed the unit into a home that is highly customised to the needs and taste of its owner. The motivation behind the design — to keep it open and multifunctional — was fairly simple; the bespoke end result, however, is anything but.
It helps not to observe space limitations as a hindrance, according to Garcia. “Designing a small space revolves around the belief that limitations are not constraints but rather opportunities for creativity and innovation”, he told Never Too Small. In CP Apartment, the innovation is realised in the flexibility of its use. The architects began by removing the central dividing wall and relocating the kitchen in order to make one unified living, kitchen, and dining room. To make the greatest use of this space, they teamed up with product designer Laura Garcia to create hybridised and multipurpose furnishings that allow the apartment to mutate to meet different needs.
Gestures of design continuity begin immediately upon entry with the green hydraulic cement tiles underfoot and the wood of the built-in wardrobe and bench for removing or putting on shoes. The tiles carry you into the kitchen, where they appear on the floor, to distinguish its use from the rest of the living room, as well as on the backsplash. The client loves to cook so the architects dedicated an entire wall to a fully equipped kitchen with a three–metre–long black granite countertop. The area has ample storage above and below the counter as well as an integrated drying rack above the sink for dishes.
The hardwood flooring indicates a transition into the more intimate or relaxation-focused zone, where almost every element is bespoke. Taking inspiration from methods used across Asia, which has a long history of designing small spaces due to its dense populations, the team devised a set of independent yet cohesive pieces that can be either moved around or folded up – or both.
There are two pieces that act as a bridge between the kitchen and living area. The first is the folding dining table, which is on wheels so that it can be freely moved around the apartment. The accompanying folding chairs can even be stored within the table. The second, but arguably more impressive, piece is the custom partition hidden within the mirrored wall. When slid out, this wood and light green laminate unit features a TV mounted on one side and a fold-out table on the other, which is perfect for kitchen prep or an added work desk.
Spanning the entire length and height of the wall opposite the kitchen is a wooden storage wall, which has two open niches on either side for plants and other objects. The focal point of this area, however, is definitely the entirely customised sofa that is made of natural wood and has custom red cushions. The base is on castors for easy mobility while the backrest is integrated into the wall behind it, which folds down into a bed at night, using the sofa as its support. Two small footrests (or seats or coffee tables, depending on when you ask) were added beside the sofa to offer added seating and storage.
A lovely view of the Consolação neighbourhood and beyond is always on view by way of the large terrace spanning almost the entire length of the room. The terrace flooring is done in the same green hydraulic tiles as the kitchen and features a vertical garden that adds a nice natural touch. The outdoor space truly acts like an extension of the living area and, of course, the sofa, table, and stools can all be wheeled out directly onto the terrace for working, lounging, or dining.
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Images by Arthur Duarte
