A bourgeois 19th century single family house was transformed and divided by Fala Atelier into a series of identical studio apartments: four living spaces, some circulation areas and a private backyard. The project is defined within a given system of constraints, aiming at an unexpected complexity, finding a certain interest within a very banal set of programs.


Unorthodox everyday spaces are built according to a clearly defined syntax and grammar. The four living rooms are different from each other while sharing the same language, the same set of figures.
 A defined number of elements – morphemes – within which the project operates: the stepped wall, the curve, two doors (one pink and one green), the striped surface of the floor. The living area becomes a gallery space.

Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovation Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovation

The front facade is almost unchanged. The shabby tiles are replaced by polished green marble contrasting with the roughness of the existing granite frames.
A circle of white marble is added to balance the composition.

Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovation 

The four living rooms are different from each other while sharing the same language, the same set of figures.


Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovationThe back facade is rebuilt. It becomes taller to match the neighbours scale, like a mask or a temple, with two square windows framing interior scenarios. The polished facade has a bold pattern of vertical stripes assembled with white, green and black marble, creating a rich, yet flat, surface.

Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovationThe entrance door is hidden within the pattern and a brass circle ends the piece. The pattern disguises the scale of the building and its program while being unnecessarily proud and exuberant. The back facade becomes a painting for neighbours to look at, a main facade for private use.

Plans
 Fala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovationFala Atelier, HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO, Portugal, Porto, single family house, renovation

Facts & Credits
Project title  HOUSE IN RUA DO PARAÍSO
Location Porto, Portugal; 2017

Architecture  Fala Atelier
Team filipe magalhães, ana luisa soares, ahmed belkhodja
            rute peixoto, lera samovich, paulo sousa
Landscape architect  joão magalhães

Client domingo discreto lda
Contractor engilaco lda

Photography ricardo loureiro

Archisearch loves portuguese architecture! Have a loot at Five Terraces and a Garden by Corpo Atelier!


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