Budget Breakdown: $84K Transformation Turns a Concrete São Paulo Flat into a Masterpiece of Wooden Elegance

When Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari started looking for a combined living and working space in São Paulo, Brazil, they envisioned an open-concept layout, an industrial aesthetic, and a vibrant area teeming with coffee shops, stores, pubs, and eateries.

For several months, the couple scoured the city, only to find small apartments with rigid layouts. However, they finally stumbled upon their perfect match: a 1,054-square-foot space previously used as a sizable podcasting studio located in downtown São Paulo. This place featured bare concrete columns, girders, and high ceilings.

“It instantly grabbed our notice,” Carolina states. “The design was attractive, and the area boasts stores, eateries, an energetic night scene, as well as convenient connections to various sections of town.” Although they adored the flat’s setting and spacious lounge, they found themselves less captivated by its dark-hued walls, fluorescent highlights, and visible wiring. “It just didn’t suit normal day-to-day use,” remarks Marcus.

They bought the apartment and promptly began working on a refurbishment project with an initial budget of R$500,000 (approximately $87,500 USD). No doubt about it, they employed Felipe and Jordan Castilho Perez for this task.
FJ55 Arquitetos
For the project, ‘Since our early days, I’ve been acquainted with Marcus, and our friendship has endured,’ explains Felipe. ‘Both he and Carolina have kept track of my company’s progress and development over time.’

“They truly connect with their architectural style,” Marcus agrees.