Apto Romeu | Diane Justus Arquitetura

Designed by Diane Justus, this 85 sqm apartment in Curitiba, in southern Brazil, was conceived for a young couple of doctors who relocated to a new city for a four-year medical residency program. More than a geographical move, the transition represented the need to reinterpret an already established lifestyle within a new timeframe and a different spatial scale, while preserving habits, emotional connections, and a sense of belonging. 

Their daily life is shared with two dogs with distinct personalities. Romeu, a gentle golden retriever, and Louis, a tiny Yorkshire terrier, naturally influence the atmosphere of the home, turning spaces into moments of pause, quietness and rest throughout the day. The connection with the architect emerged through a strong identification with her architectural language, which evolved into a relationship built on trust and creative alignment.

The project’s starting point was the challenge of translating habits developed in a large-scale residence into a compact 85 sqm apartment, without compromising comfort or the ability to host friends. The design focused on a strategic spatial organization that could accommodate the couple’s routine while guiding thoughtful investments, aligned with the temporary nature of their stay. Rather than simply reducing scale, the project aimed to preserve the experience of living, gathering and belonging.

A strong visual identity is achieved through material continuity and the prominent use of stone, creating a cohesive, sensory and timeless atmosphere that transforms a temporary address into a true home. The customization process began after the handover of the apartment, including direct interventions in the original layout. One of the bedrooms was removed to expand the primary suite, reinforcing the idea of comfort and retreat within the private areas.

In the social area, the removal of a window frame allowed the integration of the living room with the balcony, enhancing natural light and spatial perception. The result is a more fluid living space, visually connected to the surrounding environment. Defined by a sensory minimalist approach, the interiors embrace visual calmness while inviting touch, permanence and slower living.

Lighting was conceived as an integral part of the architecture rather than a secondary layer. It follows the project’s organic lines, highlights the stone surfaces and creates different atmospheres throughout the day and night. A combination of indirect lighting and focal points reveals volumes, textures and the relationship between solid and void. In the suite, a stretched ceiling membrane above the boudoir acts as a continuous and soft light surface, diffusing illumination and creating a uniform, glare-free environment.

Functional lighting appears subtly, following the organic geometry of recessed fixtures, with warm color temperatures that enhance the sensory perception of the spaces. Even the electrical finishes were carefully customized, with brushed stainless steel switches and outlets adding a refined layer that dialogues with the material palette.

Where functionality becomes essential, high-performance surfaces by Atlas Plan were specified for the kitchen countertop and dining table, combining technical durability with visual sophistication. Flooring was selected with particular care, considering the needs of the couple’s golden retriever, and aiming for a monolithic appearance that reinforces spatial continuity. Neutral-toned walls feature textured finishes that invite touch and strengthen the project’s mimetic and immersive quality.

To enable the new spatial configuration, significant plumbing interventions were required. The project included the creation of a boudoir integrated into the main suite and the expansion of the bathroom, ensuring both technical feasibility and spatial coherence. Sanitary fixtures were fully updated, featuring pieces by Kohler alongside suspended sinks that reinforce the project’s contemporary and sensory aesthetic.

Among the curated elements, objects collected from travels become meaningful pieces that contribute to the identity of the space, including marble powder sculptures inspired by classical works such as the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The composition is further enriched by fashion items incorporated as design objects, expanding the dialogue between fashion, art and architecture, and reinforcing the project’s curatorial character.

Photograpy: Bia Nauiack (https://bianauiack.com.br/)