Downtown House
Downtown House
Embedded Files
Location: Faro, PortugalCurrent phase: Work concludedProject type: Refurbishment of old house keeping the outside walls in historical area
Exterior view before the intervention
Exterior view after the works were concluded
This project involved the reconstruction and alteration of a century-old house in Faro, located in an urban renewal area in the city's downtown area. Given the original building's advanced state of degradation, only the exterior walls and central staircase were retained. From a construction standpoint, structural reinforcement was a challenge, given the deficiencies of the ground-floor stores. The building was reinforced with reinforced concrete crowning, new steel girders, and new wood beams for the floors and roof.
The proposal included a unique, open space that extends between the first and second floors on a mezzanine level, with access to the outside via a terrace. The double-height ceiling in the living area contrasts with the narrow entrance, which leads from the stairs leading to the front door, and also improves the temperature and air circulation in the attic during the summer.
Living area before the intervention
Living area after the works were concluded
Entrance door
Entrance door detail
Special attention was paid to the sustainability of the materials used, for example, using black cork agglomerate manufactured in Portugal for thermal and acoustic insulation, instead of petroleum-based materials. For windows, a Portuguese fibreglass window manufacturer was chosen, with a more sustainable life cycle and good thermal and acoustic performance.
Special attention was also paid to the details and design of the home's fixed furniture. Reused materials were also used whenever possible. A traditional wooden door was manufactured specifically for this purpose. The old hardware used in the door, which was replaced, was found and purchased from local scrap dealers and reused in this house.
Page updated
Report abuse