Original State of the Building

The original property consisted of an industrial hall equipped with mechanical lathes, cutting tables, and other equipment, as well as small annexed spaces for offices and bathrooms.

The building was aged and had water infiltration issues. The interior of the building had little natural light. The facade had only a narrow row of high windows. The yard was cluttered with metal debris.

Potential and Location

With a privileged location near the Douro River, and close to important access routes such as Campo Alegre and the Arrábida Bridge, the building demonstrated enormous potential to be converted into quality housing. Its integration into the historic core of Massarelos and proximity to public transport reinforced this vocation.

The Conversion Project

The project aimed to convert the industrial hall into 6 duplex apartments, making the most of the existing walls and structures and benefiting from the high ceiling height of the building.

Thus, the annexes added over the years in the yard and of poor construction quality were demolished, freeing up space for access to the new apartments.

The workshop roof was raised, allowing for the construction of an additional half-floor along the entire length of the hall, increasing the usable area for the apartments and facilitating compliance with current laws and regulations for housing construction.

Large openings were created in the facade facing Rua Fonte de Massarelos, ensuring abundant natural light.

The distribution of functions in the apartments was designed similarly for all of them, with the kitchen and dining room, as well as a bathroom on the lower floor, while the bedroom, bathroom, and a closet are located on the upper floor.

The interior stairs occupy a double-height space next to the large windows of the facade, allowing natural light and ventilation without compromising the privacy of the residents.

The significant level difference between the original floor and the street greatly contributes to safeguarding the privacy of the apartments.

Access to the apartments is exclusively ensured through the common yard.

Access to the property is made from the Escadas do Roleto, which adjoin the building. For this, it was sufficient to reopen a pre-existing door in the north facade, which had been walled up for years and thus provides access to the common yard. Thus, the common yard serves as a mediation space between the intimacy of the apartments and the public space, enhancing the sense of protection, privacy, and comfort for the residents.

Natural cross-ventilation of the apartments was ensured through openings in the exterior walls of opposite facades.