Building on Rua Antero de Quental

On a Rock

The project transforms a traditional house in Porto's Lapa area, with the particularity that it is close to a rocky outcrop, creating a strong slope in the rear courtyard, depriving the interior of the necessary light.

Given the state of degradation of the existing building, it was decided to retain the main facade and completely transform its interior, creating three large apartments, two of which are duplexes, capturing as much light as possible from the facades. Similarly, the common vertical access is organised through half-level entrances, allowing an unusual fit between floors without affecting the main facade's composition.

The demolition of the annexes and the cleaning of the rear courtyard revealed not only the landscape value of the rocky outcrop but also the upper terraces, where an annex with a pool was installed for the highest apartment's use. The lower apartments take advantage of the relationship with the rock, which is complemented by vegetation.

The new rear facade, decidedly in exposed concrete, was also designed from a succession of balconies that either overlook the rock or communicate directly with the elevated garden. Its composition seeks to establish a relationship with the adjoining facades in terms of language and volumetry, and the different finishes of the balconies, frames, and roof refer to elements found in the surroundings.

Team
Pedra Líquida
Client
Private
Year
2018