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The main challenge of the project was to preserve the apartment’s original character while adapting it to the clients’ current needs and way of living.
As in many Lisbon buildings, the balconies had been enclosed in the past. These were reopened to bring back the apartment’s original look and to help improve the appearance of the building’s façade.
The general layout was mostly kept as it was, with only a few adjustments, including the addition of a walk-in closet connected to the main bedroom.
The living room, dining room, and study now all open onto the balcony, allowing for easier movement between the different spaces. The study is separated from the living room by a pivoting bookcase that can be opened to create one larger, continuous space.
In the corridor, the false ceilings were removed to expose the concrete slab, revealing part of the building’s original structure. The pivot doors leading to the bedrooms are set within a mirrored wall, reflecting the natural light from the balcony and making the corridor feel brighter and more spacious. In contrast, the glass doors and frames separating the corridor from the living areas were restored to keep the apartment’s original charm.
New elements were designed with distinct colours and materials to give each room its own character. This approach is especially clear in the kitchen, where the tall cabinets, finished in a warm reddish-orange, contrast with the lighter lower units. The guest bathroom is accessed through one of the tall cabinet doors, which includes a small circular opening to let in natural light.
Gross floor area180 m²
LocationLisboa
ClientPrivate
ArchitectureBruno Pinto da Cruz in collaboration with Frederico Reis
PhotographySerrano Góis