A couple in São Paulo, Brazil, successfully renovated their compact apartment in the legendary Copan Building using traditional Brazilian design elements and innovative space-saving solutions. Stefany Guimarães and Amanda Nori enlisted São Paulo-based architecture firm Arkitito to transform their 452-square-foot unit with a budget of $24,400, incorporating traditional mosaic flooring and references to 1960s Brazilian design aesthetics.
The Copan Building, originally designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1966, stands as one of São Paulo's most recognizable modernist landmarks. The massive residential complex rises 337 feet tall with 32 floors, housing 5,000 residents and earning its own zip code due to its sheer size. Its distinctive curvilinear concrete facade ensures it stands out among downtown São Paulo's skyline of towering skyscrapers.
"The Copan has always been a landmark of the city," Amanda explains. The building faced challenging periods during the 1980s and 1990s when occupancy declined across its 1,160 units, which range from 193 to 301 square feet. In 2014, the structure was covered with transparent draping to protect pedestrians from loose exterior tiles. However, renewed interest in both the architectural icon and its increasingly vibrant surrounding neighborhood has emerged over the past decade.
After years of country living 90 minutes outside São Paulo, Stefany and Amanda decided to purchase an apartment closer to their cat product brand flagship store, "Cansei de ser Gato" (CDSG), which loosely translates to "I'm tired of being a cat." Their business started with a viral Facebook post featuring their cat, Chico, dressed as a lion. They were drawn to this particular Copan unit for its expansive city views and compact yet flexible layout.
"We wanted a higher floor to have a nice view of the city, and we wanted a small apartment that still allowed us to make good use of the space," Stefany notes. However, the original layout presented significant challenges. An oversized closet separating the main rooms made the home feel cramped, while a large bathroom wasted valuable square footage. The couple contacted architects Larissa Ragaini and Chantal Ficarelli of Arkitito Arquitetura to reimagine the space.
The design team's approach focused on strategic demolition and space optimization. "The design team began by taking out everything not needed," explains Ficarelli, starting with the oversized closet and a wall that confined the kitchen. The demolition process revealed the wooden substructure when they removed the dropped ceiling, which they decided to leave exposed for added texture. A concrete column in the kitchen area now anchors a curved, kidney-shaped dining table that maximizes both function and flow.
The project's budget breakdown reveals careful prioritization of essential elements. Construction labor accounted for $5,300, while stone countertops cost $1,200. Flooring and wall coverings represented the largest expense at $5,600, followed by $2,800 for metalwork and another $5,600 for custom cabinetry. Additional costs included $1,000 each for shower enclosure and mirror, bathroom fixtures and fittings, a $950 water heater, and $950 for paint, bringing the total to $24,400.
The architects designed rounded furniture with organic shapes to maximize the sense of openness in the narrow entry area. "The entry is smaller than the area at the windows," explains Ragaini. "We designed the rounded furniture in that organic way to open up the space." A curved cabinet in the main room corresponds to the table's curves while concealing the washing machine without occupying excessive floor space.
"We wanted to have a feeling of home, warmth, and practicality," Amanda emphasizes. "It couldn't be pretty and not very functional, you know? It had to be both." The kitchen renovation involved removing a confining wall to create better flow with the living area. MadeMarchi fabricated abundant cabinetry from marine plywood with a clear finish to accommodate a full-size refrigerator, while white quartz counters and green tiles from Strufaldi complete the color palette.
Working within budget constraints, the architects prioritized new flooring that resembles traditional "caquinho" tiles. These mosaic floors gained popularity in the 1940s and subsequent decades when ceramic tile factories would give broken pieces to workers at no cost for their home floor projects. "They wanted to put in this flooring because of the memory attached to it," Ficarelli explains.
The traditional caquinho aesthetic proved expensive to recreate in modern times. Since production practices have become more efficient, fewer broken tiles are available for authentic mosaics. "We had to invest in this flooring that was quite expensive, because it's new tiles that have been broken up," Ficarelli details. Despite the cost, the clients were thrilled with the results. "We can't get enough of the ceramic tile flooring—it's so Brazilian, and it looks surprisingly good in the interior of an apartment," Amanda says.
The renovation reduced the bathroom size to create space for a walk-in closet, while glass-panel doors bring natural light into both interior spaces. Sliding cane panels, referencing 1960s Brazilian furniture design, separate the bedroom from the main living area while maintaining light flow and ventilation. Custom green-painted metal doors with sidelights and transom windows, fabricated by VanMar Serralheria, became one of the project's budget splurges.
"Our luxury was the metal doors in the bathroom and closet, with hand-picked glass that gives the apartment its charm," Amanda notes. The bathroom features Olaria Collection wall tiles by Lepri paired with Dansk Cement floor tiles by Portobello. To manage costs, the designers kept existing fixtures in place wherever possible.
The vibrant color palette combines red Formica cabinet finishes with green metal trim on custom doors, creating an energetic atmosphere that reminds the owners of their country home. The red Formica dining table pairs with green powder-coated metal legs, while antique pendant lighting and dining chairs complement the palette perfectly. "All of the elements talk to each other," observes Ragaini.
Completed in May 2025, the renovation has exceeded the couple's expectations, particularly the curved dining table. "You can seat as many people as you want because you don't have edges," Ficarelli explains. "It's easy to grab a chair and seat one more person." The table has become a favorite spot for work sessions and hosting dinner parties with friends.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful design and strategic budget allocation can transform even the smallest spaces into functional, beautiful homes. The Copan Building's iconic brise-soleil exterior elements continue to serve their original purpose, blocking direct sunlight and channeling air into the apartments. "It's great to be here, you can get everything done on the ground floor of the building," Stefany notes, referencing the more than 70 stores, restaurants, and commercial establishments housed within the complex.
The successful renovation reflects broader trends of renewed interest in modernist architecture and urban living in São Paulo. By honoring Brazilian design traditions while meeting contemporary needs, Arkitito Arquitetura created a space that celebrates both the building's historic significance and the clients' modern lifestyle. The project stands as proof that even modest budgets can achieve remarkable transformations when guided by thoughtful design principles and creative problem-solving.
