Urca Penthouse, Rio de Janeiro Home, São Conrado Property, Brazil Building, Brazilian Home, Images
Urca Penthouse in Rio de Janeiro
New Residence in Guanabara Bay, Brazil ? design by Studio Arthur Casas
page updated 2 Oct 2016 with new photos ; 23 + 22 May 2015
Urca Penthouse, Rio de Janeiro
Architect: Studio Arthur Casas
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Urca Penthouse in Rio is in a remarkable location between two carioca landmarks: the Sugar Loaf Mountains and the Guanabara Bay. The client bought an apartment in dire conditions but seized its extraordinary potential.

The renovation was so intense that it could be compared to the construction of a new house floating above the city. Two ideas add up to guide the project: the creation of surprising paths that contemplate landscapes on opposite sides, and meanings for bringing light and views within the apartment, including to the most retreated spaces.
The duplex underwent a complex legal approval process for building a third floor. It was imperative to do so in order to reorganize the program in three layers, through an original solution where the access is made via the now intermediate floor.

An extensive engineering work reinforced the structure to gain maximum openings and integrate the spaces both within the apartment and towards the landscape. No element incorporates this idea better than the stairs that connect the three floors underneath a generous skylight, illuminating the core of the apartment thanks ...