Natural order: SuperLimão Studio’s honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

Architecture firm SuperLimão Studio makes a grand statement in metal, with hundreds of honeycomb-like panels encasing the façade of Estar Móveis' freshly unveiled furniture store in São Paulo
(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

It's a tall order for any interiors brand to stand out on Alameda Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, the seemingly endless strip of furniture galleries, showrooms and boutiques that cuts through the leafy, upscale neighbourhood of Jardim Europa in São Paulo. But Estar Móveis does just that, thanks to a new flagship store designed by local architecture firm SuperLimão Studio

We first turned the spotlight on SuperLimão after its refurbishment of groundbreaking design store Firma Casa (see W*157), making a grand statement with a 'living façade' crafted from thousands of suspended vases filled with native plants known as Swords of Saint George. Here, at Estar Móveis' new showroom, the architects have made another statement in metal, this time with hundreds of honeycomb-like panels, all powder-coated in a sleek gunmetal grey. The colour, together with the strategically placed perforated versions of the hexagonal sheets create an engaging visual effect, making this our current favourite structure on this all-important strip.

The façade is a well-tailored addition to what was an existing building, while elements of the inside have a more rough-and-ready feel, with concrete and brick walls left exposed. Both the elegant iron support structure and the furniture itself sit in contrast to the rough-hewn walls. And the space is awash in natural light thanks to a rooftop skylight and glass floor section between levels. 

Estar Móveis' products are a high-end collection of captivating, contemporary pieces by both famous Brazilian designers such as Jader Almeida, Marcelo Ligieri, and Renata Moura as well as its own proprietary line. Estar has been in business for over 60 years, and has built a reputation for value in the market, bringing together quality, style and reasonable pricing - particularly since artist Felipe Morozini joined as creative director. This bold new retail space will beautifully flag up the company in the Jardim Europa neighbourhood.

Super Limao Store

The perforated hexagonal panels allow for transparency while protecting the interiors from the harsh tropical sun

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

Natural order: SuperLimão Studio's honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

The entry area of the Estar Móveis store, which spans two floor and is a blend of rough and refined finishes. 

(Image credit: Pictured in the foreground is a chair and ottoman by Renata Moura)

Super Limao Store

The ground floor showroom features sofas, tables and stools by Estar Móveis, and chairs and a wall mirror by Marcelo Ligieri

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

Natural order: SuperLimão Studio's honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

Upstairs, Maurício Arruda's 'Tereza' lamp hangs above the staircase. A leather and cumarú wood bench by Paulo Alves in the foreground complements the eclectic selection of chairs by Jader Almeida and other designers in the background

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

Natural order: SuperLimão Studio's honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

The rooftop skylight allows plenty of natural light to filter in, further ushered to the ground floor through a glass floor section

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

Natural order: SuperLimão Studio's honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

SuperLimão Studio refashioned doors from a cargo container to create a functional wall that can be opened...

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

Natural order: SuperLimão Studio's honeycomb-like showroom for Estar Móveis in São Paulo

...allowing for the delivery of oversized items to the second floor from the outside of the building

(Image credit: SuperLimão Studio)

ADDRESS

Estar Moveis
Alameda Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 1080
São Paulo
Brazil

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Scott Mitchem is one of the longest-tenured Wallpaper* contributors, joining the team in 1999 after attending Purdue University and moving to New York City from his hometown of Chicago. He started as an editorial associate, later served as Brazil Editor-at-Large while living in São Paulo, and is currently a contributing editor based in Miami. Scott covers design, architecture, travel, and all things Brazil while working as an executive in design and real estate development and working towards a Master’s Degree at Georgetown University. He has written for many other publications and was one of several authors who recently contributed to The Architecture of Studio MK27, a book by Rizzoli chronicling the history of the acclaimed Brazilian architecture studio founded by Marcio Kogan.