Cota760 Arquitetura gives São Paulo apartment "terracotta-toned nucleus"

Caquinhos Apartment by COTA760 Arquitetura

Ceramic cobogó blocks and caquinhos tiles form the kitchen of this São Paulo apartment renovated by Brazilian studio Cota760 Arquitetura.

Cota760 Arquitetura overhauled the residence for a young couple in the city's Vila Madalena neighbourhood, as a pied-à-terre when they return from their primary countryside home.

Kitchen peninsula in a São Paulo apartment that's built around cobogó blocks — The kitchen peninsula of the São Paulo apartment is built around cobogó blocks

The studio employed two key materials to give the compact apartment character: cobogó blocks and caquinhos tiles, both typical of local construction.

"The project reinterprets traditional elements of Brazilian architecture to construct a contemporary domestic space rooted in memory, materiality and everyday use," said the studio. "In the kitchen, these elements are organised as a strong and expressive terracotta-toned nucleus that structures the space."

Apartment entry with terracotta-painted and exposed concrete walls — Entry to the apartment is via a terracotta-painted volume directly into the kitchen

The renovation involved reconfiguring the apartment's layout to improve flow, particularly between the kitchen, living and dining areas.

The entrance through a terracotta-painted volume now opens directly into the kitchen area, which is demarcated by irregular fragments of the caquinhos tiles installed across the floor.

Irregularly shaped fragments of caquinhos tiles laid to create kitchen flooring and backsplash — Irregularly shaped fragments of caquinhos tiles are laid to create the kitchen flooring and backsplash

A section of exposed concrete beside the door is used for hanging coats, and a concrete beam extends from here over the kitchen peninsula.

This element is largely built from cobogó blocks – perforated square bricks that originated in the 1920s, and are commonly used in Brazil as screens and room dividers.

Cobogó blocks help to disguise a laundry area tucked at the back of a kitchen — The cobogó blocks help to disguise a laundry area tucked at the back of the kitchen

The terracotta-toned blocks are straight-stacked to support the red Brasília granite countertop and extend up to the concrete beam to disguise the laundry area in the corner.

"The laundry remains open and functional, with the cobogós partially concealing the area without completely isolating it from the rest of the apartment," said the architects.

Perforated blocks that are straight-stacked to create a grid pattern — The perforated blocks are straight-stacked to create a grid pattern

More caquinhos tile fragments form the kitchen backsplash behind the sink and refrigerator, in between plywood-faced cabinets.

White metal racks are suspended above both counters to provide additional open storage and a spot for trailing plants.

Detail of stacked terracotta blocks atop a tile-fragment floor — Both the blocks and the tiles are typical of Brazilian residential architecture

Into the living area, the flooring transitions to a herringbone parquet while neutral-toned furniture continues the earthy palette.

"The living room maintains a more neutral palette and incorporates the residents' pre-existing furniture pieces, creating a calm backdrop that allows the kitchen to assume a more expressive architectural presence," said Cota760 Arquitetura.

In a small bathroom, square terracotta tiles are laid above the vanity counter datum, while concrete lines the walls and floor below. Plywood storage underneath the basin matches the kitchen millwork.

Another washroom features bright turquoise tiles behind the glossy burnt-orange toilet and basin, plus more caquinhos tile fragments across the floor.

Bathroom with concrete and terracotta tile walls — The same material palette as the living space is repeated in a bathroom

By repeating these materials throughout the apartment, Cota760 Arquitetura references the textures and colours of Brazilian houses built between the 1940s and 1960s.

"Through the reinterpretation of these materials, the Caquinhos Apartment transforms a conventional urban dwelling into a compact yet expressive retreat," said the studio. "The project demonstrates how simple, familiar materials can structure spaces that are both functional and deeply connected to cultural memory."