The renovation project led by DalArqui respected the history of the residence while proposing modern solutions.
Renovating an old house is always an exercise in choices: what to preserve, what to alter, what to create. In this residence in São Paulo, architect Ana Flavia Dal Fabbro, from the DalArqui office, chose to respect the history without giving up contemporary living. “The inspiration came from the same place where all our projects are born: health and well-being. This translates into the abundant presence of greenery, natural cross-ventilation, generous entry of natural light, and respect for the building and its history,” explains Ana Flavia.
The family sought more light, integration, and fluidity between the generous spaces divided into two floors. To achieve this, the openings were enlarged to allow air circulation, the living room windows were extended outwards, and the front porch, which had its hydraulic tiles restored, received an arched wrought-iron structure reminiscent of old houses.
The original staircase was restored, as were the stained-glass windows in the living room and bathroom, which now filter the light in colors. On the ceiling, the wooden beams uncovered during construction were recovered and left exposed in the TV, dining, and kitchen areas. “We sought to utilize materials that ‘speak,’ that bring warmth, affection, and welcoming atmosphere, both for those who live there and for those who come as visitors,” says the architect. The exposed brick wall and the slatted wood panel, for example, create a smooth transition between the living room and kitchen. On the upper floor, a slab extension accommodated the expansion of the master bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom.
One of the most significant interventions was on the facade. Ana Flavia explains that “initially, they wanted to build a wall and close the gate. We decided to do something different: we used railings, plants, and transparency instead of closing everything off.” The walls were lowered, the original design of the facade was preserved, and visual permeability was created between the inside and outside. “When you open up, you offer something, you create a relationship. The house becomes part of the street and the city, and this sense of belonging generates care and protection,” reflects the architect.
The colorful stained glass windows, the strategic openings, the greenery scattered throughout, and the dialogue with the city compose a project balanced between memory and modernity. “A house without fuss, easy to be in, where you enter and immediately feel at ease,” concludes Ana Flavia.
