Downtown House

Location: Faro

Current stage: Work concluded in 2016

Type: Reconstruction of single family house preserving the exterior walls.

This project aimed at the reconstruction and refurbishment of a century-old house located in an urban rehabilitation area in Faro downtown. Taking into account the advanced state of degradation of the original building, only the outer walls and central core of stairs were maintained. From a constructive point of view, the structural reinforcement was a challenge, taking into account the deficiencies of the ground floor stores. The building was reinforced with reinforced concrete crowning, new steel main beams and new wooden beams on the floors and roof.

In the architectural solution, a single space without doors was designed, which develops between the first and second floors in a mezzanine, with access to the outside through a terrace. The double height in the social area of the house contrasts with the narrow entrance, made from the staircase that comes from the front door, in addition to benefiting the temperature and air circulation through the attic in summer.

Special attention was paid to the sustainability of the materials used, for example, black agglomerated cork manufactured in Portugal was used for thermal and acoustic insulation, to the detriment of materials based on petroleum derivatives. With regard to windows, a Portuguese manufacturer of fiberglass windows was chosen, with a more sustainable life cycle and good thermal and acoustic performance.

Special attention was also given to the details and design of the fixed furniture in the house. The reuse of materials was also used whenever possible. A traditional wooden door designed for this purpose was manufactured. The old hardware used on the door was found and purchased from scrap dealers in the region and reused in this house.