In one of São Paulo’s most traditional neighborhoods, Pacaembu, the choice of a modernist house to host the new Gondim Albuquerque Negreiros ADV office reflects a strategic vision and an institutional maturity. With more than two decades of practice in the Brazilian legal landscape, the firm brings together the experience accumulated over 20 years in an expansion project that expresses its identity. The decision to occupy a residential property — rather than a conventional commercial building — is aligned with the firm’s culture: staying closer to people, attentive to everyday experiences, and connected to the history of the spaces it inhabits.

Spread across approximately 500 m² and three floors, the house underwent targeted, precise interventions that respected its original structure while reorganizing circulation and program to meet the operational needs of a law firm in active expansion. The professional responsible for translating these values into space was StudioVA Arquitetos, led by architect and creative director Vinicius Almeida, invited to take on the challenge of materializing the firm’s identity and values in São Paulo.

The São Paulo office arises from the consolidation of the firm’s national presence, whose headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, occupy a historic townhouse in the city center. Arriving in the capital accompanies this evolution, with the intention of establishing a physical space that represents the brand with authenticity and fosters closer relationships with clients, institutions, and local partners.

The location was carefully selected. Instead of settling in corporate districts with a more homogeneous profile, the firm opted for a quieter and more residential address, close to courts, tribunals, and administrative centers. The choice signals a gesture of differentiation — without compromising functionality — and seeks to provide a more welcoming environment for clients and collaborators.

The adaptation of the house took place in two phases. The first focused on activating the main areas needed for immediate operation. The second included support spaces such as the pantry, break room, and dining area. The project prioritized the reorganization of internal flows, the redesign of vertical and horizontal circulation, spatial recalibration, and the introduction of a visual language consistent with the firm’s institutional identity. Previously, the property had a single circulation route that no longer met the demands of a contemporary professional environment. The redesign created two distinct flows — social and service — which brought fluidity, privacy, and better coexistence among teams.

On the ground floor are the main reception area, support rooms, and staff spaces. A small waiting lounge connects directly to the meeting rooms, allowing clients to be received comfortably and privately without crossing into the work areas. This separation of circulation improves organization and respects the firm’s internal dynamics.

The house features two staircases — a social stair and a service stair — both preserved to reinforce the segmented circulation logic. One of them leads to the first floor, where the operational core is located: a large open workspace, restrooms, a support meeting room, and access to the side garden.

The lush exterior vegetation was enhanced and incorporated into the interior experience, offering framed views and visual contact with greenery throughout the workday — one of the features that attracted the firm to the property. Inside, a tree was integrated into the space as a direct reference to the outdoor landscape.

The top floor houses the leadership offices and strategic meeting rooms, in diverse sizes. These environments were designed to host high-complexity meetings with controlled acoustics, appropriate lighting, and flexible layouts. The functional organization across floors, combined with the distribution of access points, allows the office to maintain its routine efficiently.
One of the central aspects of the proposal was interpreting the firm’s branding within the built environment. The original color palette — defined by mustard yellow, black, and white —was subtly reinterpreted. Alongside these accents, the project introduced natural materials such as wood, earthy tones, and softer textures, resulting in a visually warm environment with a clear identity.

The “G” from the firm’s logo was highlighted on the reception desk, finished in mustard-yellow lacquer and integrated into a custom millwork panel that wraps the surfaces and spans the double-height ceiling. Above it hangs a sculpture by Estúdio Maciço—Brazilian designers known for their contemporary reinterpretations of Alexander Calder—welcoming visitors and enhanced by natural light. The window frames, previously white, were painted dark gray to strengthen the connection with the exterior.

Also in the reception area, the original checkerboard marble floor was preserved and reinterpreted as part of the new visual language. Likewise, the wooden parquet floors on the upper levels were restored, reinforcing the house’s architectural memory. In areas affected by previous renovations, the flooring was finished in carpet, creating a smooth transition between the old and the new.

The lighting design, developed in collaboration with Atrium Lighting Design, balances technical lighting with visual comfort, establishing distinct scenes for work areas and circulation. In operational spaces, the lighting favors focus and productivity, while meeting rooms and lounge areas receive warmer tones to create inviting atmospheres.

The furniture — supplied by brands such as Novacorp and Flexform — was selected for its durability, ergonomics, and design. Mustard-upholstered chairs introduce a vibrant note within a serene color palette.

Biophilic strategies appear throughout the project: in the material palette, in the integration of greenery indoors, and in the prioritization of natural light. Plant selections were made for low maintenance and to ensure visual continuity across all floors.
Beyond functional aspects, the project also conveys symbolic and social values that are central to the firm. The new unit was named Casa Esperança Garcia, honoring the Black woman recognized as the first lawyer in Brazil. The dedication reinforces the principles that guide the firm’s trajectory — courage to transform, a commitment to justice and human rights, and the connection between technical excellence and social impact.

Within the interior, this positioning materializes through artworks celebrating Black historical figures central to the struggle for human rights in Brazil — including Esperança Garcia herself — strengthening the cultural and representational dimension of the space. These pieces form part of the house’s permanent collection and expand its symbolic presence.

The narrative of this project is also shaped by the partnership between the firm and its clients. From the earliest conversations, the team shared a clear vision: to create a space that reflects its trajectory, organizational culture, and field of practice. The goal was to materialize a large-scale office — with more than 150 lawyers in Rio alone and national operations handling high-impact cases — without losing sight of a practice that remains close, human, and accessible.

The result is a workplace that values well-being and institutional identity, free from excess and simplification. A project that respects its surroundings while pointing toward new ways of inhabiting space: more integrated, more connected, and more attuned to the people who give meaning to it.

The new Gondim Albuquerque Negreiros ADV office in São Paulo therefore represents a coherent continuation of the history built in Rio over its first twenty years — now strengthened by an architecture that translates the firm’s essence and the values that guide its work.

DATA SHEET
Project: Gondim Albuquerque Negreiros ADV Office / Esperança Garcia House
Location: Pacaembu, São Paulo, Brazil
Project Year: 2025
Completion Year: 2025
Area: 500 m²
Interior Architecture: StudioVA Arquitetos
Lead Architect: Vinicius Almeida
Design Team: Camila Landeosi, Rafael Sousa, Victor Costa, Luis Felipe Torres
Lighting Design: Atrium
Landscape Design: StudioVA Arquitetos
Photography: João Paulo Prado
Communication / Text: Matheus Pereira Comunicação
Main Suppliers: Marcetex (window frames); Fort Corporativo (flooring); Flexform (chairs); Novacorp (desks and decorative furniture); Desmobilia (decorative furniture); Punto e Filo (rugs); Luxatec (lighting fixtures)