STAL Arquitetura transforms a studio in Pinheiros into a cozy, contemporary and light-filled refuge

Project signed by architects Alessandra Pinho and Stella Teixeira reconfigures the layout of a 77m² penthouse with double-height ceilings and focuses on integration, wood and light tones to expand spaces and create a home with personality.

The STAL Arquitetura office, led by architects Alessandra Pinho and Stella Teixeira, is responsible for the complete transformation of a 77m² studio located in the Pinheiros neighborhood of São Paulo. When the client bought her first property, she wanted to leave her parents’ house and live alone in a well-located place with easy access to the city’s main attractions. Choosing a double-height penthouse apartment brought great potential, but the original layout — with two bedrooms and a balcony separate from the living room — did not meet her needs. That’s when the duo stepped in with a project that prioritizes comfort, integration and personality. “The property had a lot of light and height, but it was compartmentalized. Our starting point was to rethink the floor plan to highlight what it had best: spaciousness and brightness,” says Stella.

One of the first decisions was to eliminate the second bedroom. Part of this space was used to expand the suite and the rest was used as the living room. The balcony was integrated into the living room and the kitchen now occupies the central area of the apartment, like a large heart that connects all the rooms. The kitchen, in fact, was one of the resident’s main wishes. “We created a central island that houses the cooktop and also functions as a dining table for six people. This configuration allows her to entertain comfortably and fluidly,” explains the architect. Around the kitchen, the TV area has a generous sofa and, on the other side, there is another living area, allowing the apartment to comfortably accommodate more than ten people.

To further enhance the feeling of space, STAL used strategically placed mirrors and worked with materials that evoke coziness, such as wood-effect vinyl flooring and MDF freijó panels. “The idea was to visually warm up the apartment, which receives a lot of natural light. We also used light green lacquer in the kitchen and white lacquer in the bedroom to keep the space light and welcoming,” adds Stella.

Another highlight of the project is the L-shaped panel, custom-made in wood-effect MDF, which separates the living room from the private area. In addition to hiding the doors to the suite and the guest bathroom, it also functions as a TV panel and houses a three-door cabinet for personal items. The second bathroom, previously complete, was transformed into a guest bathroom with a laundry area built into the space of the old shower — a practical and discreet solution.

The expansion of the suite provided a generous closet area, enough to accommodate up to two people. In the bedroom, the white lacquered doors with solid wood handles reinforce the contemporary aesthetic that permeates the entire project. “It is an apartment with a contemporary style, which goes beyond the obvious due to the double-height ceiling, but which needed proportion and functionality,” summarizes the architect.

The work began in November and was completed in March, with the project closed in August of the previous year. According to the client, the process was easy and without any major headaches. “Having Stella and Alessandra made my experience the opposite of what every construction project is famous for… I didn’t lose a single hair and it was a fun and enjoyable process! Of course problems happen, but they come with the solution,” she says.

In addition to the custom carpentry and well-thought-out lighting, the project features pieces such as an armchair and pouf by By Kamy and a coffee table by Tok&Stok. The suppliers include AVA Engenharia (air conditioning), Ibiza (coverings), KS Lustres (lighting), Marcenaria Decorart (carpentry), RF Marmoraria (countertops), Pratic Piso (vinyl), among other

With a fully integrated social area — including kitchen, balcony, dining and living room — and solutions that combine aesthetics and functionality, the studio designed by STAL Arquitetura became the client’s true home, reflecting her lifestyle and priorities with lightness and elegance.