Emiliano RJ / Studio Arthur Casas + Oppenheim Architecture

Architects: Oppenheim Architecture, Studio Arthur Casas
Area: 9734 m²
Year: 2017
Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Structure: AS Brasil
Foundations: AS Brasil, Paulo Frederico Monteiro
Builder: Sig Engenharia
Interiors: Studio Arthur Casas
Electrical, Hydraulics: AQ Projetos
Landscape Design: Renata Tilli
Manufacturers: Ambient Air, Arquivo Vivo, Avanti, Bertolucci, Branco e Preto, Casa do Futuro, Casas Edições, Casual Móveis, Clamon, Comlux, Daikin, Decameron, Dimlux, Franccino, Hunter Douglas, Kimi Nii, La Novitá, Lumini, Luritec, L’oeil, +10
Author: Arthur Casas
Co Author: Oppenheim Architecture + Design
Co Authors: Cristiane Trolesi, Nara Telles, Felipe Bueno, Adriana Yin, Nara Rosetto, Victoria Chaves, Renata Adoni, Raul Cano, Lucas Takaoka, Adriana Andugar
City: Rio de Janeiro
Country: Brazil

The Emiliano RJ hotel occupies a beachfront site in Copacabana, where its architecture integrates climate-responsive design with references to Brazilian modernism. The project features a façade of operable fiberglass panels that modulate daylight, airflow, and privacy, creating a permeable interface with the coast. Interior spaces employ regional materials and furnishings that evoke mid-century Brazilian design while establishing a contemporary atmosphere. Public areas on the ground floor accommodate both guests and local visitors, while upper levels house guest rooms, wellness facilities, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views. The design balances strict coastal regulations with a desire for openness, producing a vertically organized building that maintains a continuous relationship with Rio de Janeiro’s landscape.

Emiliano rj / studio arthur casas + oppenheim architecture

The Emiliano RJ presents a design shaped by the premise that architecture in Copacabana must remain attuned to light, air, and the presence of the sea. Studio Arthur Casas and Oppenheim Architecture approached the commission with an emphasis on permeability, allowing natural conditions to influence both the appearance and performance of the building. Their collaboration produced a structure that treats the beachfront not as a backdrop, but as an active component of the hotel’s identity.

The ground floor responds directly to the client’s request for a space that would engage residents and visitors alike. A bar positioned at the entrance creates an immediate social anchor along the sidewalk, while circulation separates to guide guests either toward the restaurant and business facilities or into the more private reception area. This arrangement reinforces the hotel’s dual role as both a neighborhood destination and a sanctuary for travelers.

The building’s form adheres to strict regulations governing height and distance from the shoreline, resulting in a compact volume distributed across twelve floors. Within these constraints, the design team organized ninety guest rooms ranging from 42 to 120 square meters, each planned to maximize natural light and preserve views of the coastline. Despite the limitations imposed by its site, the building succeeds in maintaining a consistent connection to the surrounding landscape.

Wellness amenities occupy the upper levels, where the spa, saunas, and gym are arranged to provide a gradual transition from the activity of the hotel to the calm of the rooftop. This vertical progression reinforces the spatial hierarchy of the project, guiding guests upward toward increasingly contemplative environments.

At the roof, an infinity-edge pool and expansive deck become defining features of the hotel. The elevated terrace offers views stretching from Leme to the Copacabana Fort, framing the coastline as part of the guest experience. The openness of the rooftop underscores the architects’ commitment to maintaining visual engagement with Rio’s natural context.

The façade’s operable fiberglass panels distinguish the hotel from the concrete towers that characterize the beachfront. These panels filter sunlight and fresh air even when fully closed, allowing for environmental comfort without sacrificing the sea outlook. Their dynamic configurations lend movement to the building’s exterior, creating a visual rhythm that responds to occupancy and climate conditions.

Inside, the design draws heavily on Brazilian modernism, beginning with the presence of Roberto Burle Marx’s artwork in the lobby. The color palette and textures echo the tones of the piece, complemented by furniture from designers such as Sergio Rodrigues and Paola Lenti. The choice of materials — including cane, wood, granite, stone, and white Paraná marble — establishes a warm and tactile atmosphere rooted in Brazilian craftsmanship.

Custom wooden panels designed by Arthur Casas enrich the interiors, while vertical gardens introduce greenery into the rooftop and restaurant areas. These elements, combined with the building’s climatic responsiveness and refined material palette, form a cohesive architectural statement that celebrates the beauty of Rio de Janeiro. The Emiliano RJ positions itself as a hospitality project grounded in its surroundings, offering an experience defined by landscape, light, and the cultural legacy of Brazilian design.