The apartment was designed for a resident who wanted her own space—a pied-à-terre close to work, with fewer belongings and a simpler way of living. The idea was to create an everyday refuge, a welcoming and happy place that values a light and organized atmosphere. The presence of plants, the sense of openness, and the clarity in the spatial organization were central elements in building this quieter, more comfortable way of living.

Central Apartment is a compact apartment of about 35 m² (377 sq ft), located near Halfeld Park in downtown Juiz de Fora. The project stems from a complete renovation of the original apartment and a reorganization of the layout to make the space more open, functional, and pleasant to live in.

The former partition between the kitchen and the living room was removed, creating a single, integrated environment. The bathroom also underwent a complete redesign, with a redistribution of its fixtures. These changes resulted in a simpler, continuous floor plan, tailored to the lifestyle of a single resident.

The entire organization of the space is structured around a single, low, continuous piece of furniture, made of Arauco's Azul Sereno MDF. This element runs through the apartment from the kitchen to the living area, concentrating the main daily activities, such as food preparation, support, and storage. More than just a functional solution, the furniture translates the idea of a simpler, more essential way of living, with fewer objects, limited clothing, and more conscious choices. By consolidating use and storage into a single volume, the design reduces clutter, eliminates the need for high cabinets, and keeps the upper part of the apartment free. Above 90 cm (approx. 3 feet) in height, white walls, continuous surfaces, and decorative elements predominate, contributing to a greater sense of lightness, increasing flexibility of use, and avoiding the enclosed feeling common in small apartments.

By concentrating only on essential daily uses, the apartment assumes the logic of a pied-à-terre, focused on living, resting, and personal care. This organization allows for a freer and less complicated space, reinforcing the idea of a place designed for a simpler routine, without the need to incorporate all the traditional programs of a primary residence.

The existing parquet floor was preserved and restored, maintaining the memory of the original apartment. In the kitchen, dining, and entry areas, the floor features light-toned hydraulic tiles, creating a smooth transition between spaces and reinforcing the unity of the design. The lighting was designed to follow this lighter, more flexible logic. Continuous general lighting organizes the living area, while indirect lighting points appear throughout the apartment, helping to create different atmospheres and make the space more welcoming.

In the living area, the other furniture pieces were crafted in virola plywood, bringing the texture of natural wood to make the environment cozier. The sofa, dining table, and bathroom cabinet use this material, reinforcing the unity of the project and the dialogue with the presence of plants inside the apartment. The sofa was designed primarily as living room furniture, while also allowing for sleeping without altering the layout of the room or making it feel like a bedroom. Near the window facing the street, a continuous concrete bench occupies the entire width of the space, functioning as seating, support, and a lounge area.

Greenery is a constant presence in the apartment. The resident, an avid plant collector, wanted the natural atmosphere experienced in her house and in the nearby park to continue inside the apartment. Consequently, greenery spreads throughout the space, integrating into the furniture, surfaces, and rooms, reinforcing the idea of the home as an urban refuge.