Atelier PECLAT+CHOW are a young architecture atelier based in São Paulo, Brazil. At first glance, their aesthetic could be described as purely minimalist, but on closer inspection, the balance of light, textures, proportions and custom designed elements are revealed, resulting in spaces that are nuanced, tactile and calming. Fundamental to achieving this harmonious outcome is the practice's approach of treating each project as an entity, where every single element is thoughtfully considered throughout the design continuum. Beautifully demonstrated in their recently completed Santos Apartment, the 1950's refurbishment was carried out for a young couple in their late 20's and features warm textural finishes and bespoke detailing. 

Yinji：Under what opportunity did you choose to establish Atelier PECLAT + CHOW?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：As individuals we’d always known that we would pursue the “solo” career. It was during college that we met (Gabriela and Fred) and did our first project together. By working together we’d noticed that we had a great synergy and that we had the same goal, to achieve a timeless, soulful and dense architecture/furniture/objects. Our practice approaches each and every project as tailor made. 

In that matter every single aspect of it is of extreme relevance and must be taken into consideration during the design process. From the overall idea of the architectural project to a simple, delicate and underrated power outlet design. We often say that everything is architecture and architecture is everything, there should be no distinction between the scales.

Yinji：How did you think about minimalism and reinvent your own style?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：Actually we never persuaded minimalism, we stand for the essencial, more likely the Midcentury Modernism pragmatism. And not only the essencial guides us, we believe that a space should have soul and personality embedded,  so it embraces you. We could say that our “style” — although we don’t really like that word, as it transmits and encloses a notion of a static moment in time — is a condensation of various artistic and day to day ordinary influences. Just as architecture, these influences are not static, they are in constant and perpetual metamorphosis and evolution, and that is reflected directly into our work. 

Yinji：What influence has your background brought to your works?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：Since from a young age we’ve always had the opportunity to travel abroad and to gather knowledge from different backgrounds, that for sure contributed to create a solid foundation. Nonetheless, we could say that one of the major influences of our background comes from living in a city as chaotic and energetic as Sao Paulo. This city is aggressive, noisy, — and in most scenarios — ugly. In that matter we intend to make our work act as a counterbalance of all that roughness of the city. A soothing and calming space, a place where one can rest the mind and the body.

Yinji：Space, light and materials are the eternal themes of architects, how to realize them?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：Ahh, the one million dollar question (laughs). They are eternal themes indeed. In our opinion there is no right answer. We could say that It’s all about being sensible. To seek contrasts amongst materials, voids, light and shadow in a cohesive fashion could be one way to do it. One should think architecture as tridimensional and permeable space whereas the user is at its core. After all architecture is about enhancing sensations and surprises (good ones tho, laughs)

Yinji：How to combine Brazilian traditional culture with modern design?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：First of all, always have bossa nova music playing in the background! It’s an eternal learning process that we still see ourselves on its surface. We love traveling to remote places in Brazil where we often tumble into vernacular architecture gems. We’re always mesmerized by how there’s a dense complexity in these unpretentious and simple constructions — to us it represents the most pure form of architecture, it’s humble, honest and at the same time so deep. 

As we walk into architecture school some of this purity gets lost, an immediate  filter of do’s and don’ts is created by the formal “training”. When we look back at that kind of informal architecture and incorporate them into the design process of our projects, we could say that we want to take a step forward towards that purity. 

Yinji： Before you started your design career, were there any seniors who had a deep influence on you? How do they inspire your design ideas?
Atelier PECLAT+CHOW：Oh, for sure, here are some, just to name a few: Luis Barragan, Hans Van Der Laan, Vincent van Duysen, Le Corbusier, Peter Zumthor, David Chipperfield, Oscar Niemeyer, Rino Levi, Franz Hepp, Robert Mallet-Stevens. 

Not only do they have a major impact on how we perceive architecture and its relationships, but when you truly connect with their work they teach you how to “see”. By taking a deep dive into these masters' works, you better understand how they perceive light, materials, circulations, scales and voids. It feels just like reading their personal diary. Most of our influences, however, come from other arts.