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Matisse Apartment
Matisse Apartment
Moema, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Other Projects by Gurgel D'alfonso
Matisse Apartment
Moema, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
Matisse Apartment embodies a distinctive way of living: connected, intentional, and attuned to the passage of time, through its architecture and interiors. Located in Moema, a leafy neighborhood in São Paulo, this 360 square meters apartment, built in the 1990s, underwent a complete renovation led by the creative duo Caio D’Alfonso and Rogério Gurgel, from Brazilian studio Gurgel D’Alfonso Arquitetura.
The intervention redefines a layout once marked by sharp angles, varying levels, and heavy compartmentalization — translating its complexities into spatial fluidity, natural light, and integrated living.
With the arrival of their first child, the residents sought more space, not only physically, but emotionally. They wanted a place where they could host friends comfortably, surround themselves with art, and preserve the warm atmosphere that had defined their family life in the previous home. Building on the successful collaboration with the firm behind their previous home, the couple made a clear request: to create a generous and serene space, one that reflects their personality and evokes the Brazilian soul in a subtle, timeless way.
The project began by reimagining the apartment’s social core. Originally, the apartment had a highly compartmentalized plan, with isolated rooms typical of a more formal 1990s layout. Rather than erasing the apartment’s three levels completely, the design reinterprets them, turning former barriers into fluid transitions. The steps, once rigid and purely functional, become broadened landings with curved contours, marking subtle thresholds between spaces. This gentle gesture unfolds throughout, conceptually articulating different uses and encouraging a more contemporary, integrated life.
The same logic applies to the walls: corners once orthogonal have been redrawn into soft arcs. The materiality of the floor, carried also into walls and ceilings, reinforces visual continuity. A monolithic off-white finish by Monofloor, with no visible joints, provides a neutral backdrop that allows furniture and artworks to take center stage. This choice is both aesthetic and practical, designed to withstand the demands of a household with a young child and a dog.
Natural light has been enhanced through strategic openings, integrating spaces, and employing materials that reflect brightness.
As a gesture of welcome, the entrance hall previews the project’s aesthetic. Emerging from the elevator, the space’s formal purity reveals itself gradually. Clad in a monolithic texture that envelopes all surfaces, the hall features a marble bench illuminated from below — inviting a pause, whether to sit, remove shoes, or set down a bag. Above, a circular soffit alludes to a skylight.
Just beyond the main door, a marble totem reaffirms the project’s sculptural intent. Custom-designed for the apartment, the piece serves as a surface for small personal items like keys and wallets, as well as a base for a lamp. Partially suspended and partially supported by the lower step, the totem explores the tension between weight and lightness, between brutality and delicacy, creating an unstable balance — quiet, yet charged with intention.
The living room, located on the main level, centers around a circular Botteh rug that guides the furniture layout toward the heart of the space, fostering intimate conversations. The C-Curvo sofa by Zanini de Zanine complements a pair of Zanine N armchairs by José Zanine Caldas, the Magrini bench by Sergio Rodrigues, the Vale armchair by Roberta Banqueri, and the Triz coffee table by estudiobola. This curated selection of modern and contemporary Brazilian designers, paired with natural materials like wood, stone, leather, and a mix of textured fabrics, alongside organic shapes, conveys a nuanced Brazilian spirit — an homage to artisanal craftsmanship and sensory memory.
On select walls, the Vela sconce, designed by Pedro Ávila in collaboration with the architects and crafted in steel and resin, stands out as a sculptural light piece.
On the balcony, the desire to bring nature into everyday life is fulfilled through landscaping by Estúdio Musgo. Carefully selected species create a natural barrier that ensures privacy while softening the space with vibrant green hues. Amid this setting, a custom-designed stone bench emerges, and its apparent simplicity concealing rigorous structural execution.
The bench rests on two cylindrical stone bases that support a solid rectangular block of the same material. Oriented toward the city skyline, the piece invites quiet contemplation, transforming the space into a true urban retreat.
On the opposite balcony, directly across from the living room, the interior flooring extends outward, while the ceiling is clad with wooden slats, repeating elements from the adjacent space. A round table and four chairs offer a spot for meals among the treetops.
Inside, the dining room is located in a corner of the original floor plan, now partially opened to the balcony. Clad in textured beige walls and ceiling, echoing the color of marble, the space reads like a box, creating an intimate backdrop for the display of contemporary Brazilian furniture. A solid wood table, designed by the architects, is paired with Prima chairs by Bernardo Figueiredo, featuring wooden frames and caramel-toned fabric seats. Above, e-cone pendants by Carolina Maluhy for Lumini provide efficient lighting and serve as sculptural focal points. In the background, a custom buffet also designed by the studio complements the composition, while an artwork reinforces the curatorship.
In the main TV room, located at the lowest level of the social core, comfort takes center stage. Wooden slats envelop the space, contributing to acoustic insulation and enhancing a sense of enclosure. A wooden portico defines the transition between the rooms and creates a intimate zone with lowered ceiling height. This architectural element also houses technical systems, including indirect lighting and concealed air conditioning components, ensuring functionality without compromising aesthetics.
On the main wall, a stone fireplace sits just below the TV panel. Window frames on either side are fitted with wooden blinds to control natural light. The composition includes the Linna armchair by Ronald Sasson, a lamp by Pedro Ávila, and a piece from the family’s art collection.
To resolve the level difference in the floor, a custom-designed sofa, over four meters long and 1.60 meters deep, was created. The piece integrates seamlessly with the existing step, as if emerging organically from the architecture. Behind it, a low stone shelf houses part of the residents’ literary collection and serves as a continuous support surface throughout the living area.
With direct access from the main living room, yet separated by glass and metal-framed doors, a secondary TV room is dedicated to the children, but also functions as a guest room and include a sofa bed with a tubular backrest. The color is introduced through upholstery and textiles, while custom cabinetry remains in restrained tones. Wood accents, used in joinery and details such as the blackout blinds, reinforce a sense of warmth.
Cooking and entertaining were key to the residents' brief, and the kitchen redesigned with those priorities in mind. A long counter extends toward a vertical wine cellar and grill, merging functions and encouraging interaction. At the center, the Rosso Travertine marble kitchen island becomes a focal point, occupying the space of a former breakfast nook, now transformed into a generous social core.
The stone’s edges were softened to align with the project's flowing curves. Set atop a discreet base, the island appears to float, offering a subtle metaphor for the project’s guiding theme of lightness.
A set of steel and glass doors separates the technical kitchen from the entertaining zone, allowing for flexible use. In the service area, wood and stone finishes maintain a sober material palette, while the range hood is neatly integrated into a stainless-steel volume.
The powder room introduces a chromatic counterpoint to the light-toned palette found throughout the apartment. Walls and ceiling are wrapped in a continuous cement-textured finish. In contrast, a brushed stainless-steel counter and sink are paired with Silver Travertine stone pieces that define the dry area. The juxtaposition of metal and stone brings together formal rigor and tactile expressiveness.
Throughout the project, marble emerges as a unifying material. From the entry totem to the dining room sideboard, the bench behind the TV sofa, the kitchen island, master bath, and powder room, its presence reinforces the dialogue between natural solidity and the minimal design.
In the master suite, the main wall is framed by a chamfered portico in Sucupira wood, which integrates seamlessly into the custom side tables. The tabletops, in Roman Travertine marble, conceal built-in electrical outlets. On the same structure, the chrome-finished Ferrão wall sconce by Estúdio Rain adds a vertical accent. The furnishings, custom-designed by Gurgel D’Alfonso, include an upholstered bed with an integrated bench at the foot, built for daily practicality. A June armchair by Jader Almeida complements the room as a reading nook.
The headboard, wall upholstery, and rug share a unified tone in varied textures for creating a monochromatic palette that invites rest and stillness. The adjacent walk-in closet is generous, featuring made-to-measure cabinetry designed to organize the couple’s.
In the master bathroom, the stone-wood dialogue continues. Roman Travertine marble contrasts with dark-toned custom cabinetry, while sinks are sculpted from the same stone. Integrated lighting in the upper mirrors provides ambient illumination, ideal for daily routines. A private sauna completes the suite, reinforcing the feeling of oasis.
Matisse Apartment is an architectural gesture that translates life into space and material. The design and curatorship resonates with the family's rhythm and values. What began as a reinterpretation of a 1990s apartment — with sharp angles, level differences, and strong compartmentalization — has been transformed into a project that embraces those original constraints and reworks them into spatial strengths. Technical systems such as climate control, automation, and heating were discreetly integrated into a precise formal language and minimal detailing. And through it all, a quiet brasilidade emerges, reflected in the authorial furniture, the use of natural materials, and the thoughtful, tailored choices made for everyday living.
Data Sheet
Location: Moema, São Paulo, Brazil
Area: 360 m²
Design Year: 2024
Completion Year: 2025
Architecture and Interiors: Gurgel D’Alfonso Arquitetura
Photography: Arthur Duarte
Communications / Text: Matheus Pereira Comunicação
Main Suppliers: Monofloor (flooring), Lumini (lighting), Dpot (furniture), Aalvo Gallery (furniture), Jader Almeida (furniture), +55 Design (furniture)
The intervention redefines a layout once marked by sharp angles, varying levels, and heavy compartmentalization — translating its complexities into spatial fluidity, natural light, and integrated living.
With the arrival of their first child, the residents sought more space, not only physically, but emotionally. They wanted a place where they could host friends comfortably, surround themselves with art, and preserve the warm atmosphere that had defined their family life in the previous home. Building on the successful collaboration with the firm behind their previous home, the couple made a clear request: to create a generous and serene space, one that reflects their personality and evokes the Brazilian soul in a subtle, timeless way.
The project began by reimagining the apartment’s social core. Originally, the apartment had a highly compartmentalized plan, with isolated rooms typical of a more formal 1990s layout. Rather than erasing the apartment’s three levels completely, the design reinterprets them, turning former barriers into fluid transitions. The steps, once rigid and purely functional, become broadened landings with curved contours, marking subtle thresholds between spaces. This gentle gesture unfolds throughout, conceptually articulating different uses and encouraging a more contemporary, integrated life.
The same logic applies to the walls: corners once orthogonal have been redrawn into soft arcs. The materiality of the floor, carried also into walls and ceilings, reinforces visual continuity. A monolithic off-white finish by Monofloor, with no visible joints, provides a neutral backdrop that allows furniture and artworks to take center stage. This choice is both aesthetic and practical, designed to withstand the demands of a household with a young child and a dog.
Natural light has been enhanced through strategic openings, integrating spaces, and employing materials that reflect brightness.
As a gesture of welcome, the entrance hall previews the project’s aesthetic. Emerging from the elevator, the space’s formal purity reveals itself gradually. Clad in a monolithic texture that envelopes all surfaces, the hall features a marble bench illuminated from below — inviting a pause, whether to sit, remove shoes, or set down a bag. Above, a circular soffit alludes to a skylight.
Just beyond the main door, a marble totem reaffirms the project’s sculptural intent. Custom-designed for the apartment, the piece serves as a surface for small personal items like keys and wallets, as well as a base for a lamp. Partially suspended and partially supported by the lower step, the totem explores the tension between weight and lightness, between brutality and delicacy, creating an unstable balance — quiet, yet charged with intention.
The living room, located on the main level, centers around a circular Botteh rug that guides the furniture layout toward the heart of the space, fostering intimate conversations. The C-Curvo sofa by Zanini de Zanine complements a pair of Zanine N armchairs by José Zanine Caldas, the Magrini bench by Sergio Rodrigues, the Vale armchair by Roberta Banqueri, and the Triz coffee table by estudiobola. This curated selection of modern and contemporary Brazilian designers, paired with natural materials like wood, stone, leather, and a mix of textured fabrics, alongside organic shapes, conveys a nuanced Brazilian spirit — an homage to artisanal craftsmanship and sensory memory.
On select walls, the Vela sconce, designed by Pedro Ávila in collaboration with the architects and crafted in steel and resin, stands out as a sculptural light piece.
On the balcony, the desire to bring nature into everyday life is fulfilled through landscaping by Estúdio Musgo. Carefully selected species create a natural barrier that ensures privacy while softening the space with vibrant green hues. Amid this setting, a custom-designed stone bench emerges, and its apparent simplicity concealing rigorous structural execution.
The bench rests on two cylindrical stone bases that support a solid rectangular block of the same material. Oriented toward the city skyline, the piece invites quiet contemplation, transforming the space into a true urban retreat.
On the opposite balcony, directly across from the living room, the interior flooring extends outward, while the ceiling is clad with wooden slats, repeating elements from the adjacent space. A round table and four chairs offer a spot for meals among the treetops.
Inside, the dining room is located in a corner of the original floor plan, now partially opened to the balcony. Clad in textured beige walls and ceiling, echoing the color of marble, the space reads like a box, creating an intimate backdrop for the display of contemporary Brazilian furniture. A solid wood table, designed by the architects, is paired with Prima chairs by Bernardo Figueiredo, featuring wooden frames and caramel-toned fabric seats. Above, e-cone pendants by Carolina Maluhy for Lumini provide efficient lighting and serve as sculptural focal points. In the background, a custom buffet also designed by the studio complements the composition, while an artwork reinforces the curatorship.
In the main TV room, located at the lowest level of the social core, comfort takes center stage. Wooden slats envelop the space, contributing to acoustic insulation and enhancing a sense of enclosure. A wooden portico defines the transition between the rooms and creates a intimate zone with lowered ceiling height. This architectural element also houses technical systems, including indirect lighting and concealed air conditioning components, ensuring functionality without compromising aesthetics.
On the main wall, a stone fireplace sits just below the TV panel. Window frames on either side are fitted with wooden blinds to control natural light. The composition includes the Linna armchair by Ronald Sasson, a lamp by Pedro Ávila, and a piece from the family’s art collection.
To resolve the level difference in the floor, a custom-designed sofa, over four meters long and 1.60 meters deep, was created. The piece integrates seamlessly with the existing step, as if emerging organically from the architecture. Behind it, a low stone shelf houses part of the residents’ literary collection and serves as a continuous support surface throughout the living area.
With direct access from the main living room, yet separated by glass and metal-framed doors, a secondary TV room is dedicated to the children, but also functions as a guest room and include a sofa bed with a tubular backrest. The color is introduced through upholstery and textiles, while custom cabinetry remains in restrained tones. Wood accents, used in joinery and details such as the blackout blinds, reinforce a sense of warmth.
Cooking and entertaining were key to the residents' brief, and the kitchen redesigned with those priorities in mind. A long counter extends toward a vertical wine cellar and grill, merging functions and encouraging interaction. At the center, the Rosso Travertine marble kitchen island becomes a focal point, occupying the space of a former breakfast nook, now transformed into a generous social core.
The stone’s edges were softened to align with the project's flowing curves. Set atop a discreet base, the island appears to float, offering a subtle metaphor for the project’s guiding theme of lightness.
A set of steel and glass doors separates the technical kitchen from the entertaining zone, allowing for flexible use. In the service area, wood and stone finishes maintain a sober material palette, while the range hood is neatly integrated into a stainless-steel volume.
The powder room introduces a chromatic counterpoint to the light-toned palette found throughout the apartment. Walls and ceiling are wrapped in a continuous cement-textured finish. In contrast, a brushed stainless-steel counter and sink are paired with Silver Travertine stone pieces that define the dry area. The juxtaposition of metal and stone brings together formal rigor and tactile expressiveness.
Throughout the project, marble emerges as a unifying material. From the entry totem to the dining room sideboard, the bench behind the TV sofa, the kitchen island, master bath, and powder room, its presence reinforces the dialogue between natural solidity and the minimal design.
In the master suite, the main wall is framed by a chamfered portico in Sucupira wood, which integrates seamlessly into the custom side tables. The tabletops, in Roman Travertine marble, conceal built-in electrical outlets. On the same structure, the chrome-finished Ferrão wall sconce by Estúdio Rain adds a vertical accent. The furnishings, custom-designed by Gurgel D’Alfonso, include an upholstered bed with an integrated bench at the foot, built for daily practicality. A June armchair by Jader Almeida complements the room as a reading nook.
The headboard, wall upholstery, and rug share a unified tone in varied textures for creating a monochromatic palette that invites rest and stillness. The adjacent walk-in closet is generous, featuring made-to-measure cabinetry designed to organize the couple’s.
In the master bathroom, the stone-wood dialogue continues. Roman Travertine marble contrasts with dark-toned custom cabinetry, while sinks are sculpted from the same stone. Integrated lighting in the upper mirrors provides ambient illumination, ideal for daily routines. A private sauna completes the suite, reinforcing the feeling of oasis.
Matisse Apartment is an architectural gesture that translates life into space and material. The design and curatorship resonates with the family's rhythm and values. What began as a reinterpretation of a 1990s apartment — with sharp angles, level differences, and strong compartmentalization — has been transformed into a project that embraces those original constraints and reworks them into spatial strengths. Technical systems such as climate control, automation, and heating were discreetly integrated into a precise formal language and minimal detailing. And through it all, a quiet brasilidade emerges, reflected in the authorial furniture, the use of natural materials, and the thoughtful, tailored choices made for everyday living.
Data Sheet
Location: Moema, São Paulo, Brazil
Area: 360 m²
Design Year: 2024
Completion Year: 2025
Architecture and Interiors: Gurgel D’Alfonso Arquitetura
Photography: Arthur Duarte
Communications / Text: Matheus Pereira Comunicação
Main Suppliers: Monofloor (flooring), Lumini (lighting), Dpot (furniture), Aalvo Gallery (furniture), Jader Almeida (furniture), +55 Design (furniture)
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