Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis

Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweNdawo yangaPhakathi kunye noMboniso Competition Category.

IbhronziIngaphakathi· 2026

Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala

by Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis

Client: Nathália Vilela Architecture and Interior Design

Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award Winner in Ingaphakathi Category

6,049

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180508

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala

Book Text: Olu yilo lwangaphakathi lwendlu yokuhlala lwaphuhliswa ukwandisa ukuqhubeka kwendawo kwisicwangciso esivulekileyo esifutshaniyeyo esidibanisa iindawo zokupheka, zokutya, kunye nezokuphumla. Umsebenzi womthi owenziweyo ngokukhethiweyo kunye nokusetyenziswa kwezinto eziqhubekayo kwasetyenziswa ukuchaza iindawo ezisebenzayo ngaphandle kwahlulahlulo lwasesici, ukuxhasa ukujikeleza okungathinteliyo kunye nokusebenzisana ngokubonakalayo. Izinto zokukhanya ezinemigca ziqinisa ubume bendawo ngelixa zigcina ukudibana kwezinto zonke kwendawo yendlu. Ubume obuvela kolu yilo bulinganisa ukusebenza ngokufanelekileyo nokucaca ngokubonakalayo, bukhuthaza intuthuzelo kunye nokuguqukguquka kusetyenziso lwemihla ngemihla.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award

Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo ephawulekayo eyahlukaniswa kukuyila, ubukrelekrele nobukrelekrele. Abaphumeleleyo beBhronzi ziimveliso ezinobuchule obukhulu nezidala ngokumangalisayo ezingqina amava aphangaleleyo, ukucinga nokwazi ukuzenzela kwabayili bazo. Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimpahla exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo enobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lebhronzi le-A' Design Award ubandakanya iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu kubugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha kwaye ugqwesile ngenxa yokunikela ingqalelo kwiinkcukacha. Sense of Home Primary Function: Ubuhle Bangaphakathi Bendlu Yokuhlala iyanelisa iimfuno ngokumangalisayo, ichukumisa iinqwenelo, ikhwebela iimvakalelo kwaye itsala umdla.

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.