Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis

Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

ParahiRoto Whare· 2026

Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho

by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis

Client: Nathália Vilela Architecture and Interior Design

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho

Kōrero Pukapuka: I whakawhanakehia tēnei hoahoa roto whare noho hei whakapiki i te haepapatanga ā-wāhi i roto i tētahi whakatakotoranga mahere tuwhera kuiti e whakakotahi ana i ngā wāhi kīhini, kai, me te noho. I whakamahia ngā mahi rākau ritenga me ngā tono rauemi haere tonu hei tautohu i ngā rohe whaihua me te kore whakawehe ā-tinana, e tautoko ana i te tītahataha kore ārai me te taunekeneke ā-kanohi. Ko ngā āhuatanga whakamārama raina ka whakapakari i te hierā ā-wāhi i te wā e mau tonu ana te kōtuitanga rauemi puta noa i te taiao whare. Ko te whirihoranga ka puta ka whakataurite i te whaihua whaitake ki te mārama ā-kanohi, e whakatairanga ana i te whakamarumaru me te urutau i te whakamahinga o ia rā.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Sense of Home Mahi Matua: Roto Whare Noho i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This residential interior design focuses on creating a strong sense of home through warmth, spatial clarity, and integrated living. Soft material transitions, linear lighting, and balanced proportions enhance comfort while maintaining contemporary elegance, resulting in a calm, functional, and emotionally engaging domestic environment
Dimensions & Packaging: The residential interior integrates custom cabinetry, quartz surfaces, engineered wood flooring, and indirect LED lighting to achieve material continuity and spatial cohesion. Linear lighting fixtures are embedded within ceiling and millwork elements to support ambient illumination, while bespoke storage solutions optimize functionality within the limited footprint of the apartment. All design components were dimensioned to maintain ergonomic circulation and visual alignment between interconnected zones.
Tags: residential interior, open-plan living, integrated layout, spatial continuity, custom millwork, interior circulation, contemporary living, material continuity, ambient lighting, functional design
Production Technology: The project was developed through a combination of custom millwork fabrication, integrated LED lighting systems, and continuous material applications. Joinery techniques were employed to ensure seamless transitions between surfaces, while modular cabinetry components allowed for precise adaptation to spatial constraints. Linear lighting profiles were integrated into architectural elements to reinforce spatial hierarchy and enhance visual continuity across the open-plan layout.
Design Challenge: One of the primary challenges was achieving spatial integration within a limited footprint without compromising functional separation between domestic activities. The design required precise coordination between custom millwork and lighting systems to define zones without introducing physical barriers. Ensuring visual continuity while maintaining ergonomic circulation demanded careful alignment of materials, proportions, and lighting throughout the open-plan layout.
Research: The design approach was informed by spatial optimization strategies commonly applied in compact residential environments, aiming to balance openness with functional zoning. Research into circulation patterns and user behavior guided the integration of living, dining, and kitchen areas into a cohesive spatial system. The resulting configuration prioritizes visual continuity while maintaining distinct functional identities through material transitions and architectural lighting.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by a client with a deep emotional connection to the idea of home. The design was guided by the desire to translate feelings of belonging, comfort, and emotional security into space, creating an interior that supports daily life while reinforcing warmth, familiarity, and a true sense of home.
Project Duration: The project was designed and completed in 2025 in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Operation Flow: The spatial configuration was designed to support the occupants' daily routines through an integrated open-plan layout that connects kitchen, dining, and living areas. This continuity allows for unobstructed movement and visual interaction between zones, encouraging social engagement while maintaining functional efficiency. Custom millwork and lighting elements subtly define each area without interrupting circulation, enabling a cohesive user experience that balances privacy and connectivity within the domestic environment.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Fernando Haenel, Sense of Home, 2026.
Image #2: Photographer Fernando Haenel, Sense of Home, 2026.
Image #3: Photographer Fernando Haenel, Sense of Home, 2026.
Image #4: Photographer Fernando Haenel, Sense of Home, 2026.
Image #5: Photographer Fernando Haenel, Sense of Home, 2026.