The existing

The existing building, constructed at the end of the 19th century, had been little altered over time.

Its spaces retained the volumetric, aesthetic, and constructive characteristics of their time. These characteristics defined and hierarchized the spaces according to their functions and social relevance, in accordance with the values and customs then in force.

Moreover, the property had features that distinguished it from the standard of contemporary bourgeois residential buildings. The plot of land, adjacent to the gardens of the Soares dos Reis Museum, small and completely occupied by the house, was wider than usual but not very deep. The rear facade was blind. The ground floor has only one facade with light.

The first floor had only one shutter on the south gable.

Thus, the building showcased architectural solutions resulting from its constraints.

With two more floors than its neighbors, it stands out from their roofline, and this allowed for windows on the side gables that provided light and ventilation to its interior. These were also decisive elements in defining the strategy for the project conception: the covered balcony on the 3rd floor, with an extraordinary view over the city; the two habitable levels of the roof space, with dormer windows; the huge windows on the facade facing Rosario Street; the refinement of the interior carpentry, in reasonable condition.

The project

Thus, the project was tasked with working on the mentioned attributes and enhancing them as factors of differentiation and valuation of the apartments and the store to be created.

The stairs and handrails, baseboards, wainscoting, frames, moldings, and doors were restored. Windows were reproduced in their form and mode of operation.

As a result, the period atmosphere of the building was preserved for the enjoyment of future users.

At the same time, very good and comfortable natural lighting was achieved for all the living spaces, along with city views enjoyable from any of them.

Daylight, amplified by the effect of the high ceilings in most of the rooms, played a decisive role in qualifying the environment of the created spaces.

The huge 3rd-floor balcony, facing south, was integrated into the interior space of the adjacent apartment.

The resulting room provides a pleasant view of the Soares dos Reis Museum garden and an extensive and enchanting view of the city.

The typologies of the created apartments are 4 T0 and 1 T1 duplex, all designed from the pre-existing spaces.

No existing wall was demolished in this process.

The store, with a display window facing Rosario Street, is complemented by an office or small warehouse in the mezzanine.