Jardim à Estrela 19
From multifamily building into a family home
Estrela is an area of Lisbon with its own particular characteristics and style. Some recent constructions show modern lines that contrast with other more traditional buildings, giving the area an element of architectural variety without jeopardising its visual harmony, revealing an increasing process of urban rehabilitation. The main concern with this project was creating a strong balance between a cosmopolitan space and place of refuge for a family. Making the most of the original characteristics of the external walls and the metrics of the window and door openings – adapting them to suit contemporary use, optimisation and health requirements – we transformed a multi-family building into a family home. Externally, the main façade is clad in rectangular green tiles, above a limestone base. To the rear, a more contemporary approach is adopted, with larger window and door openings and the creation of a courtyard and balconies, carefully arranged to preserve the safety and privacy of those who live there.
Location, Lisbon, Portugal
Client, Private
Area, 306 m2
Phase, Built
Year, 2017 - 2021
Architecture, António de Sousa Coutinho, Magda Rocha, Pedro Silva Lopes (in-house)
Specialties, Espaço Civil
Supervision, João Paulo Branco (in-house)
Construction, BMC Construções
Measurements, Coopas
Interior design, Lavradio Design
Photography, Nuno Almendra
For further details, Pinterest
Inside, the project develops over four floors, distributing an extensive plan within a long, narrow plot. The main entrance gives access to a single flight of stairs, which resolves the vertical distribution of the dwelling, a structural element with some permeability. The ground floor is mostly allocated to the garage and service areas. On the upper floors, the first level contains the social areas (living, dining and kitchen), all adjoining and connecting smoothly to a balcony and courtyard, the latter to the rear on the ground floor, accessible via external stairs. The upper floors are reserved for the most private part of the house, with en-suite bedrooms. The large, south-facing windows and their respective shutters play a key role in managing the natural light and composition of the rear elevation.