Brazilian architecture practice NJ+ Arquitetos Associados has designed a house featuring organic shapes, bulbous furnitures and powder-colored palette in São Paulo, Brazil.

Named Olaria House, the 215-square-metre house was designed for CASACOR SP, one of the largest trade fairs of architecture, interior design, and landscaping in Brazil. 

The event is being held from September 21st to November 15th at Parque Mirante, an annex of Allianz Parque under the theme of The Original House.

Designed to honor Brazilian ceramics, the warm and handcrafted details highlight the heritage of the country's ancient potteries and the importance of handcrafted work in architecture.

The L-shaped house has its own character with curved openings and sleek details. For this house, NJ+ is premised on the importance of moments of introspection and seclusion, while the bedroom is subtly separated from the other rooms through an inviting cylindrical volume present in the center of the living room, inspired by a volume by the Belgian architect Juliaan Lamps. 

The space invests in organic shapes, which refer to the handcrafted works of Brazilian ceramists, and geometric shapes, and is characterized by a comfortable and minimalist aesthetic. 

The finishes are completed with Legno Nórdico by Bontempo - a partner of the space, applied to the ceiling recall the ribbed slabs of Brazilian modernism rethought, giving a feeling of coziness.

The ceilings are made by the Bontempo in which also refers to the roofs of traditional potteries and stands out in an organic-shaped living room. The living room has also a corten bookcase and a curatorship of ceramics by various artists in the country. 

The brand's panels, specialized in materializing the uniqueness and personality of each project, provide the geometric and comfortable air chosen to cover the upper part of the room by forming squares that border the ceiling.

To send a minimal aesthetic, the team used wood, the rounded shapes of the upholstery, bookcase, mirrors, and other furniture items, and the neutral color palette chosen for the environment. Warm-toned colors and furnitures complement each other. 

Natural materials are widely used in the dining room, home office, kitchen, and suite with bathroom.

"Upon entering the suite, walking along a ramp, the neutral and minimalist environment, on another level, has a cozy, light atmosphere and highlights the bed designed by the office especially for the exhibition," said NJ+ Arquitetos Associados.

"Next to it, the bathroom with volumetry and neutral tones compose the sophisticated and discreet look, as well as all the other rooms. In the external area, the organic pocket of Bia Abreu's landscaping is composed of beams, the effect of light and shadow, and the water mirror also designed by the office."

In furniture, the team used furnitures that emphasize Brazilian design, it can be seen through the pieces carefully chosen for the exhibition, such as the Guanabara dining table and the Ipanema and Manhattan armchairs, all by Jorge Zalszupin. 

The Mocho bench by Sergio Rodrigues and the Max Chair by Arthur Casas Design is still in the room. Designer Guilherme Wentz presents the sofa, launched in space. Other design names are also present: Lina Bo Bardi, Ricardo Fasanello, Adalfan Filho and Shane Schneck.

Coffee tables, side tables, benches, and some parts of the space are signed by the office itself, such as the Cabaça armchair. The most important works of art in the environment are by Mira Schendel, Célia Euvaldo, Zanini De Zanine, Carlos Nunes, Georgia Kyriakakis, Sergio Sister, Rodrigo Andrade, Gabriella Garcia and Ana Vitória Mussi. 

In the ceramics collection, we have pieces produced by Dona Rita, a resident of the village of Campo Alegre and one of the oldest artisans working in Vale do Jequitinhonha. 

In addition to other names such as Nado, Hanna Englund, Nicia Braga, Denise Stewart, Gilberto Gomes, Alice Aroeira, Studio Nun, Mila & Romi, Frida do not bark, Jamila Cruzado, Noni, Beatriz Dutra and Cristina Palma Lopes.

Floor plan

Section A

Section B

Section C

Section D

Project facts

Project name: Olaria House

Architects: NJ+ Arquitetos Associados 

Location: São Paulo, Brazil. 

Size: 215m2 

Date: 2021 

All images © Denilson Machado – MCA Estúdio

All drawings © NJ+ Arquitetos Associados

> via NJ+ Arquitetos Associados