Housing
Elif Ayse Sen27 August 20251 Mins read214
IW Apartment by Zalc Arquitetura
The IW Apartment in Vila Madalena, São Paulo, designed by Zalc Arquitetura, redefines compact living with industrial aesthetics and refined detailing. Featuring exposed concrete, custom furniture, and clever spatial solutions, this 63 m² home balances raw textures with elegance, creating a fluid and functional contemporary space.
Elif Ayse Sen27 August 20251 Mins read214
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Located in Vila Madalena, São Paulo, the 63 m² IW Apartment reflects the resident’s desire for a functional and contemporary home. Exposed slabs and pillars served as the starting point for the project, designed by Zalc Arquitetura, which combines industrial aesthetics with sophisticated furnishings and creative solutions to optimize and integrate the spaces.
The industrial language is highlighted through exposed concrete, oxidized metalwork, and a sober color palette of black and gray. To balance these elements and create contrast, the architects introduced custom-designed pieces—such as the sofa by Estudio Bola—and high-end materials.
Pops of color appear subtly in objects, furniture, and plants. A standout is the green hydraulic tile used in the laundry area, which can be seen from the living room through a perforated panel that brings lightness and character to the space.
Lighting was designed to respect the original structure of the apartment. With the concrete slab left exposed, the electrical network was integrated into linear lighting profiles, embedded in the concrete beams and woodwork. Wall sconces and pendant lights complete the lighting scheme, adding warmth and identity to the interiors.
With a focus on integration and spatial fluidity, the layout features custom-built solutions. The service area and pantry, for example, are enclosed by a perforated wooden structure that provides partial visibility while maintaining aesthetic coherence.
In the social area, the dining bench—positioned directly behind the sofa—eliminates the need for circulation space between the two elements. The table, designed by the studio, also functions as a work station, with built-in power and network connections.
The result is a project that blends technical precision and creativity to meet the everyday needs of the resident.
Photography: Carolina Lacaz
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