Sculptural shelving becomes a library in a duplex with a view of Christ the Redeemer traduzido por: OPENROUTER

There are projects in which architecture ceases to be a mere spatial arrangement and becomes the concrete translation of the lifestyle of those who inhabit it. In the 185 sqm penthouse located in the charming Horto neighborhood, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, architect Sebastian Gomez – part of the CASACOR Rio de Janeiro cast – took on the challenge of transforming an originally fragmented structure into a fluid residence, deeply connected to nature and focused on thought. Designed for a couple driven by the universe of ideas — he, a philosopher and journalist; she, a legal professional —, the house needed to accommodate a dynamic, culturally dense and, above all, changeable lifestyle.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

The central point of the intervention on the lower floor was the elimination of rigid barriers to create a large integrated space. Hall, dining room, living area and office share the same continuous space, stitched together by curved walls that soften circulation and expand the limits of visual perception.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

Absolute protagonist of this core, the monumental double-height metal shelf was custom designed to house the family's extensive library. To make the structure feasible without compromising safety, a meticulous engineering study ensured the hidden fixing of the steel shelves and the support for the ladders providing access to the upper levels of the collection. The recessed linear lighting finishes off the piece.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

As one advances through the new main staircase — designed to replace the old spiral model —, the architecture guides the visitor's gaze to the highlight of the upper floor: the fully framed view of Christ the Redeemer.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

The project had to be modified during construction. With the arrival of the couple's son, the floor plan had to be reorganized to accommodate a third bedroom. The children's space gained lightness with pale tones, joinery with soft curves and welcoming textures of straw and natural wood, finished off with a graffiti artwork signed by Smael Vagner, which occupies the main wall.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

In the master suite, the highlight is the natural freijó wood cabinetry and the headboard with an artisanal finish, while the second suite bets on the dialogue between freijó, burnished cement, and sliding doors camouflaged into the wooden panel.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

On the upper floor, the leveling of the floor made it possible to create a continuous plateau dedicated to well-being, grouping together the gym, gourmet space, and leisure area. The pool was semi-recessed into the wooden deck and clad in Vitória Régia quartzite, creating a chromatic interplay in harmony with the surrounding vegetation.

Projeto de Sebastian Gomez. (Leonardo Costa/CASACOR)

The use of materials in their purest form — such as the washbasin sculpted from sawn black granite amid the vertical garden — blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. In the outdoor area, the dialogue between natural light, water, and the presence of a work by Adriana Varejão consolidates the space as a refuge for contemplation.

traduzido por: OPENROUTER