Located in front of the Faculty of Law of the University of Porto, the building — dating from the early 20th century — was identified by a company specialized in urban rehabilitation investment (buy-to-let), which recognized its potential for the housing market.
The architectural project was developed with this purpose in mind: to preserve the building's identity while simultaneously qualifying it as a solid and sustainable real estate product.

The building and its context

The building presented itself as an opportunity to enhance the built heritage, with unique architectural elements — such as the skylight over the staircase, the rear courtyard, and the potential of the attic spaces.
These elements, of undeniable character, were reintegrated and reinterpreted, becoming the protagonists of the new residential project.

The project

The building was converted into four duplex apartments, with T1 and T1+1 typologies with an exterior courtyard, designed to offer efficiency in the use of available space, comfort, and brightness.
Each apartment is unique in its solar exposure, in its relationship with the street and surroundings, and in its articulation with the courtyard and the urban horizon — resulting in distinct but coherent residential experiences.

The adopted architectural solutions sought a balance between functionality and character, absorbing and reinterpreting period details that add identity and quality to the interior spaces.
Thermal and acoustic comfort, as well as safety and energy efficiency, were determining criteria from design to execution, ensuring low operating costs and high performance over time.

Execution and construction efficiency

The project was conceived, guided, and detailed to be executed with technical efficiency and rationality of means, allowing for phased intervention by teams of artisans specialized in traditional rehabilitation.
This strategy ensured cost control, optimization of construction time, and a quality of execution aligned with the project's rigor.

Result

The Rehabilitation on Rua dos Bragas well illustrates how architecture can regenerate urban heritage, meeting the demands of the contemporary market without losing the connection to the building's history and the city's identity.
More than four apartments, the project represents an exercise in architectural efficiency — where each construction decision reflects a commitment between memory, use, and lasting value.