It is difficult to find common areas more impressive and expansive than those designed by Leandro Garcia for the DSENHO Building in an urban neighborhood of Curitiba, Brazil. The building’s shared facilities occupy some 350 square meters and are arranged to welcome both residents and guests with a refined, open plan that feels like a curated showcase of contemporary Brazilian design. Light-filled circulation, thoughtful material choices and iconic furniture create a cohesive environment that balances formality and warmth.
The entrance hall, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass and a warm wooden ceiling, is anchored by a custom-designed yellow carpet that instantly sets the tone. The carpet does more than add color; it visually links a collection of iconic Modern Brazilian pieces distributed across the space, turning the hall into a small gallery. Polished white walls and generous glazing create a bright backdrop for sculptural seating, side tables and lighting that celebrate mid-century and contemporary Brazilian makers.
Beyond the hall, a set of doors opens to the events area, which includes a comfortable common sitting zone, a well-equipped kitchen and a generous dining space. The kitchen’s centerpiece is a Brazilian marble island that serves as a practical workspace and a visual focal point. The adjoining dining area easily accommodates more than a dozen guests, making the space ideal for resident gatherings and private events. White drapes provide flexible privacy screens while metallic accents and measured pops of blue and red enliven the otherwise neutral palette.
Circulation through the common areas is deliberately simple and bright. A white corridor leads from the main entry to the events zones and the children’s areas, while contrasting material moments—white plaster walls opposite glazed façades—enhance the sense of depth and light. Thoughtful lighting design, combining recessed fixtures and pendant lamps, transitions the spaces smoothly from daylight into evening use, highlighting furniture silhouettes and surfaces after sunset.
Complementing the social and event areas are practical amenity spaces that reflect the project’s consistent design language. A compact but well-organized children’s playroom includes custom storage solutions and bright surfaces that facilitate play and tidy-up. The gym borrows the hall’s color accents and features a striking yellow floor that energizes the workout area. An elevator lobby completes the sequence, connecting residents to private floors while maintaining the same high standard of material and lighting choices.
In this path of homage to the design of Brazil are: Clerk umbrella stand by Jader Almeida, 1960’s floor lamp, N, H and Cuca armchairs by José Zanine Caldas, Bailarina side table by Aristeu Pires, sculpture in ceramics by Denise Coelho, FDC 01 armchair by Flávio de Carvalho, Mucki and Mocho stools by Sergio Rodrigues, Eclipse lamp by Maurício Klabin, Varetas coat stand, Linhas low stool and Toco table by Leandro Garcia, Bambo stool by Marcelo Caruso, Class vintage floor lamp by Enrico Furio Dominici, Carioca armchair by Bernardo Figueiredo and Girafa stool by Lina Bo Bardi, Marcelo Ferraz and Marcelo Suzuki.
Overall, the DSENHO Building’s common areas demonstrate how careful curation, thoughtful layout and high-quality materials can elevate shared residential space. Leandro Garcia’s design succeeds at creating versatile, beautiful rooms that support daily life and social events while celebrating Brazilian design history. The combination of glass, wood and marble, together with an edited selection of furniture and lighting, creates common areas that are as functional as they are inspiring.
