Tasked with the challenge to transform a small apartment into a more spacious and open environment, studio Arquitetura Nacional designed a loft-style space with a minimalist and at the same time very chic and stylish appearance.

The black spiral staircase is the focal point of the entire apartmentThe kitchen, dining area and living room are organized around the staircase, complementing each other beautifully

The apartment is situated in Porto Alegre, in Brazil and its remodeling was just completed in 2019. Its original floor plan was a lot more compartmentalized which ultimately resulted in a smaller usable area. The new design is a lot more open and gives this 68 square meter apartment a modern and very fresh vibe. One of the most important elements added is a spiral staircase which connects the main floor to the mezzanine area.

The mezzanine floor has glass balustrades which keep it connected to the main floor and to the viewsThe apartment has an entire wall made of glass which lets in lots of natural light and frames a beautiful viewThe glazed facade has vertical shades which can be operated remotely and which control the amount of light and exposure that the apartment gets

All the different spaces on the entrance floor were merged into a single large area. The staircase sits at the center and is the focal point of the entire volume. Right next to its tands a large kitchen island with table extension which divides the space into two zones without visually separating them. Behind that, black kitchen cabinets create an elegant backdrop.

One of the walls is covered in cement tiles and this gives it an elegant and eye-catching lookThe same type of tiles also covers the cabinet sitting below the TVBy removing the partitions and opening up the main floor, the designers completely changed the ambianceThe kitchen is framed by the staircase, the island and the table and feels its own separate room

The living room has a double-sided sofa in a light shade of coral which stands out and contrasts with the rest of the furniture as well as with the cement tiles that cover up the TV wall as well as the unit sitting just below the TV. All of these features are both exciting and space-efficient and are complemented by a minimalist palette of materials and colors which puts an emphasis on form and style.

The palette of materials used throughout the apartment is limited to cement tiles, carbonized wood and concrete flooringA set of LED light strips bring this wall to life, giving it a dramatic look at nightThe living room has a two-sided sofa which is really interesting and perfect for this type of flexible floor planOn the mezzanine level, the designers made room for a walk-in closet to accompany the bedroom