Located on a corner lot in the Moema neighborhood of São Paulo, Ibaté by Studio Arthur Casas unfolds as a monolith of exposed concrete softened by vertical landscaping and human-centric design. With just one spacious unit per floor, the 21,000 square-meter residential building offers privacy and openness in equal measure, integrating cross-ventilation, solar orientation, and generous terraces.

Studio Arthur Casas chooses to leave the concrete frame of the tower fully exposed. The facades are made of ribbed, warm-toned concrete that isn’t clad or painted, allowing the raw material to speak for itself. Built into the grid are vertical planters, which soften the strong, sculptural presence but also help regulate temperature and connect the building more closely with its tropical surroundings. 

all images by Fran Parente

Each 450-square-meter apartment in Ibaté spans an entire floor and is accessed via dual elevator cores. The São Paulo- and New York-based architects at Studio Arthur Casas clearly divide public, private, and service areas while maintaining fluid transitions between them. Perimeter terraces wrap around each unit, acting as outdoor extensions of the living spaces. Their design is subtly modulated with staggered planters that shift floor by floor, breaking visual monotony, with large glass openings and brass-finished aluminum guardrails completing the envelope.

The interface between the building and the street departs from São Paulo’s typical urban defensiveness. At ground level, Ibaté resists heavy gates or walls, offering instead a glazed enclosure that works as a threshold to the city. This open, landscaped plaza connects with the sidewalk and includes furniture, a steel sculpture by Túlio Pinto, and communal areas such as the pool and elevator lobby. 

a monolith of exposed concrete softened by vertical landscaping

Studio Arthur Casas balances Ibaté’s raw concrete with the warmth of wood, glass, and brushed metal finishes. Technical components are concealed behind wooden panels that maintain visual clarity, while curated furniture by Brazilian designers, including Jorge Zalszupin, Guilherme Wentz, and Arthur Casas himself, brings heritage and contemporaneity into conversation. 

Sustainability is integrated into the building from the start with solar panels heating the pool, a graywater system allowing for water reuse, and EV charging points built in. Cross-ventilation and dense greenery help reduce the need for air conditioning, improving energy efficiency while keeping the spaces comfortable.

the 21,000 square-meter residential building offers privacy and openness in equal measure

integrating cross-ventilation, solar orientation, and generous terraces