SANTA CATARINA HOUSE & ATELIER
Light, constructive coherence and spatial versatility.
The Santa Catarina House & Atelier project involved the rehabilitation of a 19th-century building in downtown Porto into my own home and workplace. Since I was young, I have been fascinated by Porto’s Liberal Era houses, which are landmarks in the city’s urban landscape. When the opportunity arose, I could not wait any longer to start the project.
The original structure of the building was beyond repair, with serious damage to the traditional wooden beam system. I decided to apply the same construction principles of these historic houses in a contemporary way, exposing all structural elements.
The old house was transformed into a loft-style home spanning three floors. The architectural studio occupies the ground floor. The first floor houses the social areas, including the kitchen and living room, while the bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom are located on the upper floor. The interior layout was designed to minimize the number of doors, limiting them to the three bathrooms.
Each floor offers an open space of approximately 60 square meters, characterized by its amplitude and versatility. The traditional masonry walls and timber framework were preserved. The difference in levels between the entrance and the backyard led to the creation of a light well that brings daylight to the lower floors.
The main façade was reconstructed according to the original design, sourced from the historical archive (1898), preserving the stonework and tile patterns and colors. The window frames were simplified and painted dark grey, introducing rhythm and a contemporary touch to the façade.
Awards:
2012, Respect for Architecture OASRN.
Publications:
2012, VIEIRA, Ana Neto; PEREIRA, Luís Tavares, Respect for Architecture 2012, OASRN, Porto, Portugal.
Photography: Alexander Bogorodskiy
Consultants: David Souto Eng.º | Medidoriginal Lda.
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