Houzz Tour: Minimalist Modern Box House in São Paulo
An architect and tastemaker transforms a building with a creative pedigree with his stark interior and funky, cool decor
Architect, furniture designer and Brazilian tastemaker Guilherme Torres was immediately attracted to his box house's creative pedigree. Located in the fashionable Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil, the space used to house the collection of Brazilian sculptor Victor Brecheret, the man behind the great Monument to the Bandeirantes in São Paulo. Torres, who has residences in São Paulo and Londrina, didn't want to change that much in the floor plan; the only things that have been tweaked are the gaps, openings and coatings in the space.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Guilherme Torres
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: The house belonged to Italian-Brazilian sculptor Victor Brecheret in the 1940s.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Guilherme Torres
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: The house belonged to Italian-Brazilian sculptor Victor Brecheret in the 1940s.
A neon installation by artist Pinky Wainer that reads "land of the free home of the brave" and a skull and crossbones welcome mat greet guests at the front entrance. The swinging front door is made of the same wooden muxarabie material as the mezzanine bathroom tub's ceiling (next).
The mezzanine bathroom tub's ceiling is meant to soften the rays of the sun. The wooden muxarabie material is a registered trademark of Torres'.
| The interior walls were covered with drywall. Some parts were painted white; others received a coating that resembles cement texture. The black dining table is an original design by Studio Torres. |
From this angle, you can see that the entrance houses a large courtyard. Subdued and simple furniture and an open layout enlarge the first level of the two-story home, which also houses a work studio for Torres.
Torres, who considers himself a citizen of the world and keeps several properties in Brazil and Europe, wanted to convey in his own new space a cosmopolitan life with hints of pop culture influences.
This neon light artwork is also by Pinky Wainer, creator of the neon installation at the entrance. In the foreground is a ceramic skull, often used as a symbol of mortality and melancholy — a deliberate addition to Torres' domestic space, where every piece of furniture has an aesthetic or functional purpose.
Every book in his collection also has an aesthetic purpose, and each one's inclusion has been contemplated and mulled over by the artist-architect.
Torres considers his home space his "cauldron of references," where he receives both friends and clients who share his love of tattoos, street art and electronic music; his home life is inevitably symbiotic with his structural and product designs.
The bursts of orange and citrine tones in the kitchen, dining area and bedroom are the only splashes of color in what is otherwise a reserved palette of materials, subtle surfaces and stark forms.
Comments
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Minimalism is something I admire, but not sure I would want to live in myself. This house has so many things that grabbed me though, very cool. I could probably live here. I think it was the feeling of being outdoors with the trees as part of the interior. I've always loved that. The ottoman and the orange touches are just great, but the neon art piece of the ribs was my favorite. Thank you Cathy for sharing. Charmean
14 months ago · Like
Cathy Lara It looks like there was a lot of editing done in this space. I could live here as well, esp if it's one of a few residences and if the space served the purpose of a home studio.
14 months ago · Like
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Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel I'm not usually a fan of minimalism, but this really works for me. The kitchen sort of leaking into the 2-story lanaied courtyard is terrific. I wonder about that second oven, place so high you need a step ladder. Kudos to the architect and photographer.
14 months ago · Like
Timothyfreeman and Ass simply magnificent
14 months ago · Like
beckyg63 I am a bit of a minimalist myself, but that's just ugly and cold. Like a college dorm room.
14 months ago · Like
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juventinorobles Cuando eres soltero tienes un estilo de vida muy diferente a cuando tienes hijos, de hecho tu manera de pensar cambia completamente, ahora es la casa de "tus hijos" cuestiones como seguridad y accesibilidad toman un primer plano o tal ves sea la manera "latina" de pensar la vida.
14 months ago · Like
Lauren Donaldson I love the indoor-outdoor space in the kitchen and the old, rustic table that connects the two. What a beautiful environment.
14 months ago · Like
Cathy Lara Pienso que para cada uno lo suyo, @juventinorobles... pero con este artista/ arquitecto, los niños o los niños no, tiene una estética que realmente se pega a (Perdon, mi espanol necesidades de la práctica).
14 months ago · Like
PaintColorHelp.com Dallas I appreciate a lack of clutter, but I don't really understand this 'empty house' look. There's no way anyone could live like this on a daily basis. No storage, no overhead lighting, hardly any furniture. There's not even a clock or an ink pen out.
14 months ago · Like
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Bronwyn Turton I have great admiration for minimalism but I can't imagine ever wanting to live comfortably in a space like this. Love the splashes of orange and the aged kitchen bench- a complete contrast to soften the edges and add some age to this home. . 
14 months ago · Like
ragsangle I don't understand this look...I understand the no clutter but it looks like an ice box...it's so cold and makes me a nervous wreak just looking at it...like a hospital or some kind of insitution would look...I just don't get the appeal of living in a cold,barren insitution house...there is no life in it...no personality...no nothing! I like everything in it's place ,nice and neat but not barren and dead...I just don't understand it at all.
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on April 10, 2012.
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