Budget Breakdown: Wonderful Woodwork Refines a Concrete São Paulo Flat for $84K

When Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari began their search for a live/work apartment in São Paulo, Brazil, they dreamed of an open floor plan, an industrial vibe, and a bustling neighborhood filled with cafes, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

The couple combed the city for months, finding only compact flats with inflexible floor plans. But eventually, they discovered exactly what they were looking for: a 1,054-square-foot apartment, formerly a large podcast recording studio, with exposed raw concrete pillars, beams, and ceilings in the heart of São Paulo.

"It immediately caught our attention," Carolina says. "The layout was appealing, and the neighborhood has shops, restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, and easy access to other parts of the city." While they loved the apartment’s location and its massive living room, they were less enchanted with its black-painted walls, neon accents, and exposed electrical work. "It wasn’t functional for everyday living," Marcus says.

They purchased the apartment and quickly got to work on a renovation with an initial budget of R$500,000 (about $87,500 USD) in hand. Without question, they hired Felipe and Jordan Castilho Perez of FJ55 Arquitetos for the project. "I’ve known Marcus since childhood and we’ve remained friends," Felipe says. "He and Carolina have followed my firm’s work and growth over the years."

"Their architectural style just really resonates with us," Marcus says in agreement.