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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. URCA APARTMENT in SugarLoaf, Guanabara Bay by STUDIO ARTHUR CASASSeptember 21st, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: STUDIO ARTHUR CASAS This penthouse in Rio’s Urca neighborhood has an extraordinary location, between the Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay. The client bought an apartment that was in terrible conditions, but with an exceptional potential for transformation. The project was guided by two complementary ideas: to create a pathway of discovery of the landscape on both sides, the bay and the mountain, and to bring as much light as possible to the three floors.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA
 Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA Undoubtedly the element that translates the better this idea is the main staircase. To add a new floor to the original duplex the whole building had to pass through a structural reinforcement. The section shows clearly the relation of the stairs and the landscape, bringing light through zenithal openings to all the floors and directing the view towards the landscape.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA On the 1st floor we have placed the guestrooms, allowing the owners to have as much privacy as possible in their suite on the 3rd floor. Next to the guestrooms are all the service areas including kitchen and staff bedrooms.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA The 2nd floor holds the main entrance next to the elevator. Most of the walls were demolished in order to create a space completely open to the Guanabara Bay. The horizontality of the space accentuates the integration with the landscape. The living room is lit by three openings on the water basin of the last floor, sliding glass doors open completely to the side, allowing total integration between the living room and the terrace. On the other side of this floor a gourmet kitchen receives natural light both from the atrium and a bay window that overlooks the sugar loaf. Both spaces can be divided through sliding doors.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA The 3rd floor is divided by the master bathroom with the view directed to the Sugar Loaf on one side and the sauna, barbecue area, water basin and Jacuzzi on the other, looking towards the Corcovado and downtown Rio across the bay.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA A Brazilian culture aficionado, the client selected with the Studio all the objects in the house, forming a vast collection of modernist design represented by names such as Sérgio Rodrigues, Jorge Zalszupin, Ricardo Fasanello and Jean Gillon, there are also several contemporary artworks and local pieces of craftsmanship.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA The plan of the apartment is simple; our intention was to have fluidity between the floors, creating continuous pathways that accentuate the relation between architecture and an extraordinary landscape.  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA  Image Courtesy © FERNANDO GUERRA  Image Courtesy © STUDIO ARTHUR CASAS  Image Courtesy © STUDIO ARTHUR CASAS  Image Courtesy © STUDIO ARTHUR CASAS  Image Courtesy © STUDIO ARTHUR CASAS
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Categories: Apartments, Penthouses |
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