yinjispace

ARCHITECTURE
Gurgel D'Alfonso Arquitetura
INTERIOR
Gurgel D'Alfonso Arquitetura
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ricardo Faiani
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Conceived for a young family passionate about gastronomy and the art of hosting, the Fidalga Apartment --- located in the heart of Vila Madalena neighborhood, São Paulo --- reflects a contemporary, dynamic, and affectionate way of living. The couple, content creators for a culinary YouTube channel, sought a versatile space to accommodate both work and daily life with their two small children.

To lead the renovation, they invited the Brazilian architecture firm Gurgel D'Alfonso Arquitetura --- led by architects Rogério Gurgel and Caio D'Alfonso. The duo completely restructured the apartment's layout, proposing new spatial connections and solutions.

In the living room, a custom-built masonry bookshelf with niches for books and personal objects combines a fixed structure with freestanding furniture made from Sucupira wood at the bottom. The bookshelf's curved outline follows the air conditioning duct --- an example of how visible infrastructure was embraced as part of the design. The windows are framed in the same wood species, with slatted screens that subtly filter light, creating shadow patterns that shift throughout the day.

The kitchen became the core of the project. To accommodate both daily use and moments of hosting and filming, the space was integrated into the social area through the demolition of walls and the creation of a continuous axis composed of a cooking counter, prep area, and dining table.

The main countertop was built in self-supporting stainless steel, composed of independent modules with different functions and accessories, assembled like a flexible system. Complementing this structure, a Vitória Régia quartzite surface provides support and houses drawers facing the working area. A solid wood table, also used for pasta preparation, enhances the set's functionality and allows for varied uses.

The mix of warm and cold surfaces meets different culinary demands, drawing inspiration from the functional logic of professional kitchens. The project thus balances sensory and technical aspects with equal precision. At the back, a custom cabinetry volume finished in golden brass panels houses appliances and storage that are subtly concealed within the design. The reflective surface captures and disperses light throughout the space.

The primary suite was organized around a central built-in volume, made of Virolinha plywood, that integrates bed, headboards, closet, TV lounge, and utility points. Produced in modules and installed before the civil work was completed, this element streamlined both timing and finish --- a clear example of the strategy to combine construction efficiency with architectural identity.

In the suite's bathroom, terracotta-toned ceramic tiles envelop the onyx naranja countertop, while a monolithic floor in the same tone covers even the built-in concrete soaking tub, shaped with smooth, curved edges. The ceiling retains the original roof slope, highlighted by natural light. The space is conceived as a sensory retreat, where textures and precisely aligned surfaces create a quiet, immersive, and contemplative experience.

This home represents an intervention rooted in daily life --- attentive to family routines, emotional ties, and technical demands, yet open to material experimentation and research. The choices reflect a pursuit of textures, finishes, and compositions that convey distinct sensations and elevate the experience of dwelling. A home where living is both an intimate and collective act --- between cooking, connecting, and sharing memories that take shape in the space.

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