Lina Apartment in Centro, Santa Catarina delivers a clear lesson in how to update a historic space without dimming the charm that made it special. Designed by Alencar, the project keeps the apartment’s original identity intact while opening it up for modern living. The promise here is simple: a transformation that respects memory, embraces comfort, and celebrates Brazilian design in a way that feels authentic and deeply personal.
The story begins with the apartment’s 1980s bones, where arched doorways and high ceilings soften the modernist layout beneath them. These curves guide every transition, framing views toward the dining area, hallway, and kitchen without needing fixed panels or heavy structures. The openness feels intentional, preserving flow while letting each room breathe.
In a sitting area by a curved window, Brazilian design takes center stage. It centers on the Bag Armchair by Sérgio Rodrigues. Here, the chair sits near a Jabuticaba tree, creating a grounded, contemplative space. Personal photography, wood cabinetry, and a mix of Brazilian seating give it an intimate, collected atmosphere.
The dining area continues the celebration of Brazilian craftsmanship with the Bossa chair by Jader Almeida and a Concrete Table by Estudio Bola. Overhead, the Vertice Pendant by Waldir Junior draws the eye upward, echoing the curves of the surrounding arches.
One of the homeowners’ biggest wishes was to make the kitchen the social heart of the apartment. Previously enclosed, it was opened to brighten circulation and connect it to daily life. A central island now anchors the space, paired with the Helga Bar Stool by Estudio Bola and the Wrap Lamp by Jader Almeida. Even appliances like the Char Broiler blend into the layout, keeping the look calm and unified.
A secondary living area is organized around the Sofá Mole by Sérgio Rodrigues. The Mole Sofa sits beside the Estrado Desk by Gustavo Bittencourt, making this zone both comfortable and functional. An archway frames views through to the TV room, creating layered perspectives that link relaxation and work. Art and a 1978 woodcut by Burle Marx sit nearby, anchoring the space in Brazilian modernist tradition without overwhelming daily life.
The former balcony was transformed into a dedicated seating area with travertine flooring. Pieces here include the Concrete Disforme Table by Estudio Bola, the Oscar Chair and Gio Armchair by Sérgio Rodrigues, and the Banco Caipira by Francisco Fanucci. This corner brings an airy, semi-outdoor quality into the apartment. Because it is set apart from the main living zones, the seating area reads like a small, gracious salon where objects and materiality take center stage.
The primary suite features the Cuca Armchair by Zanine Caldas and the Lina Bench by Alencar, designed specifically for the homeowners, while soft materials and personal objects build a calm, collected atmosphere.
The child’s bedroom introduces a playful suspended zone above the bed for reading and play, creating a unique functional space that adds vertical interest without closing off space.
With its green walls, the powder room becomes a vivid moment inside the home.
Lina Apartment stands apart by keeping its past visible while letting its present feel fresh. Brazilian modernist furniture, meaningful objects, and flexible layouts come together in a way that honors memory without feeling nostalgic.