High Performance

A family in Brazil combines sleek materials, high performance mechanics and food prep for the ultimate bespoke party pad.

The Pampulha neighborhood in the Brazilian town of Belo Horizonte was designed by Brazil born and based architect Oscar Niemeyer, known internationally for his groundbreaking aesthetic use of reinforced concrete in contemporary architecture. An equally revolutionary young family—a couple and their two teenagers—built their new contemporary home in Pampulha, creating a one of a kind party space where the man of the house and his friends customize their motorcycles and the entire family receives friends and makes delicious food—all in the garage!

With a kitchen, LCD television and quality sound and lighting systems, the party doesn't stop when the work is done. "At the end of the day everybody drinks some beers and they cook something to eat," says designer Cristina Menezes of Cristina Menezes Arquitetura e Decoracao. "It's a place to unite different activities. Music, concerts, watching sports and dancing with all of their family and friends, without generating 'mess' inside the house, or bothering people who are not participating in these events."

Menezes' muse for this futuristic space was the idea of high-tech customization, and every detail represents the marriage of form and function in a palette of white, black and chrome. Serpentine floor and laminate cabinets that appear machined set the stage for Frank Gehry Ultra Cubes, and Mario Bellini Arc Chairs that can be conveniently stacked when they're not in use. Sub-Zero integrated refrigerator drawers and a Wolf 36-inch framed electric cooktop with an embedded hood gave Menezes the luxury of adding the necessary food-related utility while maintaining the clean, sports-driven edge.

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