ApartaBento: Creativity and Identity Transform A Compact Apartment Into Renovation

In a renovation marked by creativity and sensitivity, the Hersen Mendes Arquitetura office transformed a 59 m² apartment in Brasília (Brazil) into a space full of personality. With a reduced budget, the project focused on intelligent solutions and alternative materials, standing out as an exercise in democratizing interiors and good architecture.

Named ApartaBento, in honor of the resident’s pet named Bento, the apartment underwent a complete renovation, which included demolition, reconstruction, electrical and plumbing updates, as well as replacement of floors and woodwork finishes. All stages were conducted with great care by the team of architects and executed by small local suppliers, under the direct supervision of the firm.

The proposal was to exploit the potential of simple materials such as paint, OSB boards, and metalwork elements to the fullest, while maintaining a strong aesthetic presence. Coatings were applied only at strategic points, and MDF was reserved for areas with greater exposure to moisture, such as windows and countertops. Among the reuse solutions, the wooden counter that now serves as a rack, originally part of the kitchen in the old apartment, stands out.

The pink kitchen stands out in contrast to the fresco mural in the dining room next door—an experimental work by the newly created Acaía Estúdio, from Brasília, which brings elements from the resident’s personal universe. Awarded by the IAB (Brazilian Institute of Architects), ApartaBento received recognition in the Interiors and Design category – Midwest stage, during the Centennial Competition in 2021.

In this project, each solution developed for the space resulted in a true extension of the resident’s identity, combining architecture, art, and design, even in a compact environment and with a limited budget.