Apartment MO | Zalc Arquitetura

Located in the Jardins neighborhood in São Paulo, Brazil, Apartment MO underwent a renovation designed by Zalc Arquitetura, led by architect Rafael Zalc. Developed for a client who lives outside Brazil, the property was purchased as an investment for rental, without ruling out future personal use—a condition that guided a flexible project aligned with the resident’s needs.

With targeted interventions in the original 70 m² layout, the apartment had its spaces reorganized to expand the social area and encourage integration. The incorporation of the terrace into the living room was one of the main strategies adopted, resulting in a continuous and versatile environment capable of accommodating different uses throughout the day.

Based on this reorganization, the project adopts a balanced interpretation of industrial style, evidenced by the use of exposed concrete and cement flooring on the main floors and walls, combined with a neutral color palette predominantly in shades of gray. These elements dialogue with the presence of wood and with accents of color applied sparingly, creating contrast and depth without compromising the overall balance.

In the social area, the wall clad with concrete panels of varying dimensions runs throughout the living room and contributes to a sense of spaciousness. The entrance door, painted in the same tone as the concrete, blends seamlessly into the background plane of the space. 

The kitchen establishes itself as a central element of the apartment: designed by the firm, the island organizes functions and connects to the cantilevered dining table. Between the two elements, a diagonally embedded champagne cooler, with a drain for melted ice water, supports the dynamics of entertaining.

The design of the triangular cut-out, created specifically for the project, appears on the island and is repeated selectively in other areas, establishing visual continuity between spaces. This attention to design is also revealed in custom-made solutions, discreetly incorporated into the apartment’s daily life.

The lighting design, composed of black tracks and wall sconces, reinforces the industrial language and contributes to indirect lighting throughout the apartment. On the terrace, a bar with a wine display was added, while the service area was concealed behind a panel with a folding door, preserving the visual continuity of the social area.

In the private area, the layout was adjusted to enable a more spacious suite. Reducing the second bedroom allowed for the creation of a walk-in closet, and the bedroom now relates visually to the bathroom through a glass partition. The curved leather headboard and the custom-designed side tables organize the space and reinforce the identity of the apartment.

The porcelain tiles applied to the bedroom walls were cut into strips that extend across the headboard and continue into the bathroom, promoting visual integration between the spaces. This was an economical solution that transformed a simple 60 × 60 porcelain tile into an exclusive wall finish. The curved headboard, in turn, appears to embrace the bedroom. Its two leather modules are freestanding, allowing for replacement or maintenance.

The project results in an apartment that combines industrial language with solutions designed around everyday use, revealing careful attention to design and the functionality of spaces.

Photography: Guilherme Pucci