After living in a modernist house designed by Vilanova Artigas (the father of São Paulo architecture) for almost 35 years, Arthur Casas felt the need for something different – more urban and practical. ‘Those spaces were starting to seem larger than I actually needed. I had long imagined living in a more compact apartment,’ explains Arthur, himself one of Brazil’s most renowned architects.
He now resides in one of the city’s liveliest and most elegant neighbourhoods, in a residential tower and hotel designed by his architecture firm, which is connected at ground level by a basement housing a restaurant, bar and boulangerie, topped by an elevated green plaza.
Describing the complex as ‘a vertical model connected to the city, with shared spaces and services that simplify daily life’, Arthur explains how he didn’t intend to move in himself but, as the project took shape, his relationship with the building deepened. ‘Designing the urban structure, the architecture, interiors and apartments created a sense of belonging. I wanted to experience a new way of living in São Paulo, so moving here seemed natural.’
In a sense, his home operates as a villa within the multistorey building – private, intimate and independent of the hotel and public areas, yet still benefiting from being part of the larger whole. The apartment’s interior was designed to eliminate any wasted space; everything is organised through integrated elements and custom-made furniture carefully tailored to Arthur’s lifestyle.
The social areas – the living room, dining room, kitchen and home cinema – form a single, continuous space, with sliding panels in the kitchen allowing for flexibility when separation is needed. ‘It’s a very controlled space, conceived almost like a camper van, where everything has a specific function,’ Arthur says.
When developing the palette, he sought simplicity, with pared-back colours and natural, durable materials such as wood and stone contributing to a sense of permanence and comfort. ‘The interiors were intended to be neutral and calm; a backdrop for my books, artwork and objects,’ he explains. ‘The idea was to let proportions, light and texture define the space, rather than bold colours or decorative touches.’
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Surfaces clad with wood help to create unity and warmth, while also concealing the technical elements and storage spaces, making the interior both more relaxing and more coherent.
Although this home is decorated with several pieces by different Brazilian designers, much of the furniture is by Arthur’s own studio – a recurring theme in his work. ‘Separating structure, interiors and furnishings seems outdated to me,’ he says. ‘I see architecture and interior design becoming increasingly inseparable. Designing individual pieces allows me to precisely control dimensions, use and proportions.’
For Arthur, modern living means one thing: adaptability. ‘Life is no longer linear and homes must respond to different rhythms and times,’ he declares. ‘As my children grow and move out, and I age, life changes, and the space I live in must change with me.’ In his apartment, spaces aren’t rigid but transform throughout the day, with the study easily adapting into a guest room and social areas expanding or contracting depending on the need.
He believes this flexibility will become even more essential in the future: ‘Living spaces will be less tied to fixed schedules and more oriented to supporting life as it evolves, allowing people to inhabit architecture in a more intuitive and personal way.’ arthurcasas.com
