The project, which is the result of an invitation to tender, consists of the rehabilitation of a 1949 housing and office building, located in the corner of Rua da Alegria and Rua Formosa, in Porto.
The existing building, designed by the architect Fernando Ferreira, was profoundly altered, externally quite degraded and with volumes on the roof that occupied the old terrace.
We propose the rehabilitation of the building's exterior image, the replacement of the degraded stone cladding on the ground floor and first floor with ruivine gray marble.
On the roof we propose the demolition of all existing volumes, recovering the terrace for collective use. Inside, we foresee the inclusion of a lift and the recovery of the original entrance and stairwell, to which design adjustments are made. In the first floor we have a common space, a living room, an exhibition room for small cultural events, a breakfast room and its support facilities and a small reception. In the remaining 3 upper floors, we foresee subdividing the space into 9 apartments (3 per floor). All spaces have natural light.
The common areas are covered with stone on the floors and plastering on the walls. In the living room / breakfasts and bedrooms, by contrast, the space is subdivided with wooden elements, textiles and mirrors in order to visually expand the small space. The sanitary facilities and kitchens, all new, are covered in white Estremoz marble.
All details are new, following the basic principles of the pre-existing building.
All furniture was designed or chosen by the designers.
In each room there is a photograph of the artist Fernando Lemos from the important collection belonging to the collection of the developer.
The interior of the cafe was not built as designed.