Casa Dendê Duratex by Nildo José + Arquitetos Associados
Casa Dendê Duratex is a fluid and minimalist residence located in São Paulo, Brazil, designed in 2019 by Nildo José + Arquitetos Associados.
About Casa Dendê Duratex
An Architectural Prodigy: Nildo José’s Latest Masterpiece
Nildo José, renowned for his consistent excellence at CASACOR, returns jubilantly. He’s unveiling the “Dendê” Duratex House project in collaboration with Duratex, a premier supplier of wood panels, laminate floors, vinyl flooring, and skirting boards. This year’s event, running from May 28 to August 4 at São Paulo’s Jockey Club, revolves around the theme ‘Planet Home’.
A Fresh Canvas: Designing a Full House
For the first time, Nildo designs an entire house, diverging from his past interior projects. He envisions a 155-square-meter (1,668-square-foot) space exuding fluidity and minimalism. The house includes a living room, kitchen, dining area, a courtyard with a central tree, and a master suite. Each element deviates from conventional design, reflecting a nuanced homage to his native Bahian roots. The details resonate with art, “bossa,” and poetry.
Harmonizing Elegance and Rusticity
Striving for both elegance and rusticity, Nildo crafts a house characterized by clean lines and sporadic curves. These design elements subtly nod to Bahia’s “Recôncavo.” The façade stands out, playing with light and shadow, showcasing Nildo’s technical prowess. A 15-meter-long (about 49-foot-long) marble slab, illuminated by LEDs and infused with rock salt, greets guests — a nod to Bahian mysticism.
Upon entering, walls and ceilings converge, forming a concave design emanating from the stone floor. Duratex wood panels create an optical illusion, blending vertical and horizontal planes. Nildo innovates, introducing dark hues for the first time, especially the “Trancoso” Duratex tone — a tribute to Bahia’s Jacarandá wood. Burnt cement walls juxtapose the wood, invoking Bahia’s airy beach homes.
Blurring Boundaries: Nature Meets Architecture
Inside, natural stone floors complement vast window panes overlooking an exterior garden of Snake Plant (or “Espadas de São Jorge”). Sunlight filters in, linking external beauty with internal elegance. The living room features a skylight with sunray-controlling glass and a Bahian-inspired wooden latticework. This design promotes ventilation — crucial for the region’s warmth.
This latticework extends to the bathroom and kitchen, encapsulated in a central unit. Closing its doors renders the interiors invisible. Adjacent, a lounge pairs with a dining table Nildo designed, drawing inspiration from French architect Joseph Dirand. Bahian looms create most fabrics, reminiscent of regional hammocks.
Touches of Bahian Legacy and Contemporary Flair
A living room bookshelf showcases cachaça bottles filled with Bahian sand. This display subtly references the Recôncavo’s colonial past. Artworks and handicrafts further enrich the Dendê Duratex House’s narrative. The suite reveals Deca’s bespoke white bathroom fixtures. White linens from Casa Moysés add sophistication.
The residence exudes dreamlike allure, blending pure textures. The design harmoniously combines varied elements, echoing sambas and resonating with Nildo José’s intimate universe.
Photography by Denilson Machado
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- by Matt Watts
