Simpatia Apartment: Space-Savvy 44-Square-Meter Duplex in Brasília

When it comes to space-efficient design, a duplex can unlock vertical potential that a conventional apartment often leaves unused. Nestled in a dense neighborhood of Brasília, Brazil, the Simpatia Apartment by Lez Arquitetura transforms a compact 44-square-meter duplex into a stylish, highly functional home for a young couple who love to cook, entertain and spend time with friends and family. Faced with limited floor area and a long wishlist of appliances, the design team reconfigured the mezzanine and living level to create a layout that maximizes storage, social space and practical amenities without feeling cramped.

Lower level living area and social zone of the Simpatia Apartment in Brazil

The redesign concentrates communal functions on the lower level: an open living area that integrates the kitchen and a small dining nook. The original staircase was remodeled and finished in gray to harmonize with the apartment’s neutral palette. Key to the renovation are two purpose-built walls that bring generous storage and appliance zones into the compact footprint. One wall—crafted from light wood and metal—organizes media and hospitality equipment, housing the television alongside an ice maker, coffee machine and a dedicated beer cooler. The opposing wall becomes a streamlined single-wall kitchen, accommodating cabinetry, a refrigerator and a washing machine tucked beneath the stairs. A dining table for two and a large leather sofa anchor the social zone, while the private program—bedroom, workspace and closets—occupies the mezzanine above. Photography: Júlia Tótoli.

Couch in the living area anchors the space and gives it a direction

Kitchen wall under the extended mezzanine with dark gray cabinets and appliances — Kitchen wall of the apartment under the extended mezzanine level with dark gray cabinets and refrigerator and washing machine under the staircase

Remodeled staircase painted gray to match the loft’s style — Old staircase of the house was remodeled and painted gray to allow it to fit in with the new style of the loft

The two custom walls do more than hide appliances; they define and structure the living space. The wood-and-metal wall opposite the kitchen functions as a versatile hospitality hub, with niches and shelving for small appliances and entertaining gear. This consolidated approach frees countertop space and preserves the apartment’s clean visual lines. The single-wall kitchen is compact yet fully equipped: dark gray cabinets provide a modern contrast to the warmer wood tones, while the area under the stairs is cleverly used to fit the refrigerator and washing machine—an efficient use of previously underutilized vertical space.

Wood and metal bookcase with TV and beverage appliances — Wood and metal bookcase on one side of the floor with TV, beer cooler and ample space for other features

Beer cooler, ice maker and coffee maker next to the television — Beer cooler, ice maker and coffee maker sit next to the television on one side of the living area

When going upstairs, we see a gray volume that delimits and highlights the bathroom area. The lateral closure is made of an aluminum frame with a mixture of two types of glass for privacy and to allow natural light into the bathroom, which originally was closed. We covered all the bathroom walls with graphite porcelain and the carved countertop was made in black ‘São Gabriel’ granite…

On the mezzanine level, the design strategy emphasizes privacy and light. A gray volume signals the bathroom’s location and provides a visual boundary for the sleeping and working areas. The bathroom uses an aluminum frame with two different glass treatments to balance privacy with daylighting—an important move in a space that was previously enclosed. Graphite porcelain tiles cover the bathroom walls, while a carved countertop of black São Gabriel granite lends depth and durability.

Blue, gray and wood shape the social zone and kitchen on the lower level of the duplex

Modern bedroom in gray and white on the upper level with a space-savvy design — Modern bedroom in gray and white on the upper level of the duplex with a space-savvy design

The bedroom and workspace on the upper level follow the same restrained palette, favoring grays, whites and wood for a calm, cohesive interior. Smart storage strategies—including slim floating shelves and a compact work surface—keep the area functional without dominating the small floorplan. A contemporary bedside pendant light replaces a bulky lamp to save surface area while adding a refined touch.

Contemporary bedside pendant light complements the small nightstand — Contemporary bedside pendant light is perfect for the small nightstand

Gray half-wall, compact workspace and floating shelves in the small bedroom — Gray half-wall coupled with gray workspace and slim floating shelves in the small bedroom

Graphite porcelain walls and carved granite countertop in the kitchen — Graphite porcelain and carved countertops shape the stylish kitchen in white and gray

By extending the mezzanine and carefully composing functional walls, Lez Arquitetura delivered a compact duplex that feels open, livable and tailored to social living. The Simpatia Apartment demonstrates how focused interventions—thoughtful storage, integrated appliances and a clear material palette—can stretch a small footprint into a comfortable, modern home suited to cooking, hosting and everyday life in the city.