Tag smartdesign

How lovely is this little house with an outdoor patio? We are so thrilled to assist the owner with this renovation project! To suit the owner’s request, we managed to transform a quite small living room into a more spacious living and dining area. In the meantime, the current kitchenette, located in a very dark corner, will become a proper kitchen. It will have plenty of sunlight and more space for appliances and storage, which is great!

The laundry and the bathroom will now be in the same room. Therefore, we proposed a separate powder room with a wall-hung toilet and a hand basin. Behind the toilet, a feature wall with a niche and LED light will bring some design flair to the enclosure. Moreover, we added a covered patio with access to the bedroom, integrated with the existing porch. The roof above the patio will follow the same pitch as the garage, located on the opposite side of the house. Regarding the garage, we created a storage room at the back, taking advantage of existing walls.

Do you also want to renovate your lovely little house? It doesn’t matter the size of your project. Big or small, give us a call!

The main goal of this renovation project was to create more privacy for the members of a growing family. Initially, they wanted to isolate the existing master bedroom from the rest of the house, adding to it a separate living area. This bedroom would then be occupied by the owner’s daughter and her partner.

So the first step was to make room for a second master bedroom, for the parents. Since the family didn’t use the office very often, we opened it to an adjoining bedroom, creating a master suite with a walk-in robe. We then transformed the laundry into an ensuite, taking advantage of the existing plumbing.

The owners wanted a European-style laundry, so we adapted one of the cupboards along the corridor to place the trough. We also made room for a stackable washing machine and dryer, as well as a bigger cupboard beside it. Since we had to bring pipes to the new laundry, we installed a small kitchenette on the other side of the wall. The kitchenette faces the media room, having a frigobar, a microwave, and a sink.

The media room now works as a living area for the owner’s daughter and her partner. It has a private access to the outdoors, allowing for the young couple’s own routine. However, the room is still connected to the rest of the house through an internal door.

Last, but not least, the owners complained about the corridor that leads to the bedrooms being too dark. Aiming to bring more light to this part of the house, we removed an existing wall at the entry hall. We proposed a feature screen instead, made of timber battens from floor to ceiling.

Do you also want more privacy for your growing family? Or maybe adapt your house to new circumstances? Get in touch for a quote!

Back in 2001, we were engaged to design a house extension on a sloped lot. With minimal interference on the existing structure, we were able to create three ensuites and plenty of living areas. This was possible by simply knocking out a few walls in order to create doorways and open up the space.

Additionally, we proposed an extension towards the back of the lot. This addition allowed for a new ensuite and a balcony for the master bedroom. The biggest change, though, was building a staircase to connect the main floor with the undercroft. Previously unused, this level now lodges an entertainment room and space for a home office.

At the back of the lot, we proposed a 3-car garage next to the maid’s room. Both are separated from the house by a backyard. To assist with the everyday hop-in and off, a porte cochere sits beside the house, accessed by a side door.

Regarding the facade, we kept the house style, with a high-pitched roof and a gable end over the front door. To reinforce the classic look, we added white mouldings around the windows, contrasting with a darker colour on the walls.

PS. A maid’s room was something common in Brazil until the late 2000s. Not only in upper-class houses but also in middle-class apartments, which is quite curious. Even though a live-in maid was already rare in those days, many families would still have it as a requirement. Nowadays, the idea of having a maid’s room practically disappeared from the project briefing. On the other hand, other spaces have been gaining popularity, such as mudrooms and home offices.

Are you thinking of renovating your house? Get in touch, and we will be more than happy to assist you with plans.

Another one of our favourites: transforming a 3-bedroom house into a 4-bedroom one. From a small house with only one bathroom, the owners would now have a master suite. Through a walk-in robe, they gain access to their ensuite, where a curved wall forms the perfect scenario for the walk-in shower.

Attending to their request, an existing patio made room for the new kitchen, with opens to a balcony facing the mountain views. Aiming to assist with storage and keep the kitchen nice and tidy, we proposed a walk-in pantry. It has two doorways, to both sides of the counter, making it easier to get the necessary ingredients when cooking.

Walk-in pantries and butler’s pantries are a must nowadays, some of them with auxiliary sinks and dishwashers. In this case, we didn’t have too much space, so it only lodges the fridge and small appliances. For other projects where we suggested a walk-in pantry, you may click here and here.

Taking advantage of the sloping lot, we proposed a new garage on the undercroft, reducing the existing one to create two new bedrooms. One of them would be a spare room, doubling as a home office. At the same time, we joined two existing bedrooms to form the master suite.

In the front yard, we proposed a firepit area with access both to the kitchen and to the master suite. The wide sliding doors help bring the outdoors inside the house, creating a perfect home for a growing family.

Did you like our concept for this house renovation? Would you like to have your dream project designed by us? Let’s have a chat!

We’re in love with the warmness of this modern mid-century bedroom, where pieces of contemporary furniture meet others inspired by the 60s. And all tied together by earthy tones! In this renovation project, the owner asked for a new master bedroom on the 2nd floor. Then, he wanted to transform the existing one into a studio and guest room. Above all, though, he was a big fan of the modern mid-century look and would like this style for his master bedroom.

The proposed extension comprised a generous master bedroom with a walk-in robe and an ensuite. For the bedroom, we proposed a hybrid vinyl floor matching the timber of the existing staircase. Behind the bed, an accent wall in grey contrasts with the other walls in white.

Beside the chest of drawers, a comfortable armchair provides the perfect environment for reading a book, one of the owner’s favourite hobbies. Book shelves are in every corner, to lodge the owner’s huge collection. The modernist vibe continues through the artwork, the tapestry, and the lighting features, making this bedroom comfy & cozy.

Did you also enjoy the warm colours of this bedroom? Are you after some inspiration for your home renovation? We would love to help you! Get in touch today and book your consultation.

A few years ago we were engaged to work on a corporate project for a multinational company: their new educational facilities in Curitiba, Brazil. This company is from Germany, but its South American headquarters are located in Curitiba. The production site spreads around 20,000 sqm of built area, where they manufacture machines for the textile industry. Besides Germany and Brazil, they have units in China, India, Mexico, and the USA, among other countries.

The corporate project for this multinational company involved the renovation of an existing ground-floor building. The educational facilities would have a training room and a videoconference room, as well as toilets and a cafeteria. As per the clients’ request. we used state-of-the-art features. As an example, we specified double glass partitions with blinds operated by remote control for the training room.

Aiming to allow multiple uses of the space, we chose a flexible range of office desks. This furniture allowed for different configurations, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, or team groups. For the coffee bar, we proposed a small kitchenette and tall tables with stools, aiming to create engagement among the attendees. Regarding finishes and materials, we opted for light oak partitions, suggesting neutral greys for both the carpet and floor tiles. For the office chairs, we chose tan leather, the same finish as the stools in the cafeteria.

This was not the only corporate project designed by us. At Instant Design we have plenty of experience in designing commercial spaces, as you may see here or here.

Are you thinking about uplifting your office? Or maybe setting up a new business and in need of some ideas? Let’s have a chat!

In 2013, one of our clients engaged our practice to develop this commercial project in a very privileged street. While the upper level has 6 offices, the ground floor has 2 spacious shops. However, these shops could be either subdivided into 4 units or grouped into a bigger one.

The project occupies the whole lot frontage, taking advantage of the existing zoning parameters. We allocated one shop on each side of the building, with an entryway to the upper level in the middle. The access to the second floor consists of a stairway and a lift, which form an outstanding volume in the facade.

The local legislation permits mezzanines up to 50% of the shop floor, so we suggested a double-height ceiling. Therefore, the shop tenants would be able to maximize their space. We discussed this idea in advance with the structural engineers, who then considered the mezzanine when doing their calculations.

To visually reduce the double height of the first floor, which has wide shop windows, an aluminium awning runs through the main facade. Large steel corten porcelain tiles from Portobello complement the look, along with textured render in neutral colours.

Both the stairway and lift also connect the two floors with the basement, where the parking lot is. Aiming to reduce costs with excavation, we followed the natural profile of the lot. Considering that the ground floor sits 1.6m above the street level, we proposed a curved accessible ramp aiming for accessibility.

On the second floor, a hall gives access to the six offices. While two of them face the front of the lot, the other four are facing back. Having an open-plan room, each office suite has a small kitchenette and an accessible toilet, as per the local regulations.

The owners wanted to provide infrastructure for the air conditioning system in all offices but, at the same time, give the tenants the option to customize the internal floor plan. Therefore, we simulated a few possible layouts, so the engineers could set the best location for the air conditioning equipment.

Soon after the construction, all units were leased. The location on a privileged street was certainly important for this outcome. However, the well-planned spaces, the good-quality materials, and the elegant facade definitely had a positive impact.

At Instant Design, we have plenty of experience planning commercial spaces. And we are ready to assist you with your next job. For other examples of commercial projects we have done in the past, you may click here and here.