Lapa Townhouse Transformation by Estudio Piloti Arquitetura
Brazilian architects unite stacked houses into a family home
1Project Overview
The Lapa Townhouse renovation transformed two small stacked houses in a gated Goiânia village into a single 170m² family residence. Designed by Estudio Piloti Arquitetura, the 2024 project serves a couple and their three children. The architectural intervention preserved the neighborhood's charm while creating modern living spaces through careful structural integration and material selection.
2Structural Innovation
Lead architects Vivian Hori Hawthorne and Luis Claudio Marques Dias executed a complex structural unification process. Engineering firm Plurali provided consulting to ensure the integrity of merging two independent units. The team maintained original load-bearing elements where possible while creating new connective spaces. This approach minimized construction waste and preserved the property's original character.
3Material Selection
The project features high-quality Brazilian materials including stone from Granitel and Granitorre, with lighting solutions by Reka Iluminação. Pedras Coimbra supplied specialty stonework, while Yzyplas contributed innovative plastic components. Donizete Ferreira's craftsmanship appears throughout, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design elements in the unified residence.
4Spatial Organization
The redesign created fluid transitions between previously separate living areas while maintaining distinct functional zones. Public spaces occupy the ground floor with private quarters above. Poliana Podboi Adachi's landscaping integrates indoor and outdoor areas, extending living spaces into the property's perimeter. The layout optimizes natural light penetration throughout the day.
5Design Team
Beyond the lead architects, the core team included project manager Luiza Amato Iazzetti and designer João Anfe. Their collaborative approach balanced aesthetic vision with practical family needs. The studio prioritized custom solutions over prefabricated elements, resulting in unique built-in furnishings and tailored spatial configurations for each family member.
6Neighborhood Context
Located in Vila Romana within Goiânia's Lapa district, the property respects its gated community's architectural language. The renovation maintains the village's scale and material palette while introducing contemporary elements. This sensitive approach sets a precedent for modernizing historic properties without compromising neighborhood character.
7Photographic Documentation
Luiza Florenzano's photographs capture the project's material textures and spatial relationships. The images highlight how natural light interacts with stone surfaces and how the unified volumes create unexpected sightlines. This visual documentation showcases the architects' attention to tactile experiences and volumetric composition.
8Industry Significance
The project demonstrates how careful renovation can expand living spaces without property acquisition. It offers a model for urban families needing more room in established neighborhoods. The success suggests similar stacked properties could be reimagined as single residences, potentially influencing urban housing strategies in Brazilian cities.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Lapa Townhouse Transformation by Estudio Piloti Arquitetura