Modernist design codes breathe new life into a 1960s São Paulo house
Furniture brand Wooding and architect Murilo Gabriele bring a minimalist take to a house built by Nino Ferraz in 1962
A 1960s house in São Paulo has been given a modernist rethink by BG Studios, which has created a minimalist base for furniture brand Wooding from Nino Ferraz’s original 1962 design.
The house, in the residential neighbourhood of Alto de Pinheiros, now encompasses the clean design codes of Rafael Espíndola’s furniture brand. Wooding, created in 2018, is defined by its sleek pieces that incorporate wood, making for streamlined forms.
Inspired by the pure elements of Scandinavian design, the refurbished house design drew on the original drawings as a starting point for the refurbishment. Everything from the structure to the aesthetic was reworked, from a broken floor in the entrance hall being lovingly restored to the intensity of the lighting adjusted.
‘We wanted to make our language more plural, to bring different perspectives with regard to design,’ says Espíndola of the concept, which reflects Wooding’s distinctive aesthetic.
‘Discovering how to approach a redesign process was fundamental,’ adds architect Murilo Gabriele, who centred the design around Rodrigo Oliveira’s naturalistic landscaping. Outside, the rich green tones of the foliage make a verdant frame for the deck, originally a patio and pool area and now covered by a wooden marquee.
A reworked metalwork main staircase makes a striking focal point for Wooding House, which is filled with furniture from both Espíndola’s own brand and Brazilian and European brands Zanini de Zanine, André Grippi, Rodrigo Ohtake, Ricardo van Steen, and Studio 3955, making for an elegant space that will also act as a destination for art, design and architecture events and exhibitions.
‘We had the vision to breathe new life into the house, not just as our space, but as an architecturally significant building for the city, a project worth saving, and preserving for future generations to enjoy,’ adds Espíndola.
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INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Av. Pedroso de Morais, 2214
Alto de Pinheiros
São Paulo
SP, 05420-003
Brazil
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
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