Visual narrative through decoration. Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier
06/12/2021.
[Lisbon] Portugal
metalocus, AZAHARA SERRANO
metalocus, AZAHARA SERRANO
Close to the heart of Lisbon, is this apartment, in a building dating from 1906. The rehabilitation of the same has been carried out by BALA atelier team, in which they have tried to establish a dialogue between the last century and the actual.
Some elements of the original construction have been preserved that now act by the decoration and the rehabilitated part. These elements are the masonry, the wooden beams, and the roof pillars.
Some elements of the original construction have been preserved that now act by the decoration and the rehabilitated part. These elements are the masonry, the wooden beams, and the roof pillars.
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio
Floor plan, Section A and Section B. Apartment in Almirante Reis by BALA atelier
The apartment operated by BALA atelier, in its beginnings, was very divided and with low ceilings. For this reason, space has been transformed in such a way that it remains a more open space and increasing the height of the ceiling.
The details in this space are relevant and you have to pay attention to them so as not to miss any information. The raw material that has been chosen is pine wood, which contributes to harmony and is fully compatible with the rest of the elements.
Description of project by BALA atelier
By intervening on a roof space, more specifically in the attic of a building dating from 1906, in the 21st century, a dialogue is established between the different times and ways of living, but also between the respective construction methods that should coexist harmoniously.
Thus, in the genesis of the rehabilitation intervention of this 90 sqm apartment, in addition to reverse the weak preexisting living conditions, the preservation of the historical legacy of this constructive typology was also pursued, conserving the elements considered to be relevant to the characteristics of that time period.
Examples of this are the stonework, the irregular stone masonry wall, the wooden beams and pillars of the roof, which are revealed and become a memory of the original construction system. A rigorous approach is established with a special focus on detail, choosing the pine wood as the primary material, valuing the harmony and compatibility between this material and the others selected.
The apartment was initially very partitioned and with low ceilings. Its spatial transformation arised immediately and intuitively, and involved transforming into a more open plan with higher ceilings taking advantage of the preexisting attic.
Opening the central area, a new functional organization is established, with greater visual relations between the different spaces. Its volumetric was increased, the depth of the apartment was enhanced in its visual relation of the east/west axes, and the natural lighting and ventilation increased. The new configuration of the space allows a dynamic and flexible experience of the house.
The closed kitchen space is abandoned and a large kitchen countertop and dining room are defined in the central space with a greater ceiling height.
The relocation of the bathroom to the interior of the apartment makes it possible to free all the windows to the central space. This bathroom becomes the only interior space of the house, in which a light tunnel with skylight is introduced. This new interior and central volume stand out from the attic as it is covered in polished brass, reflecting the spaces around it.
The informal bedroom space relates to the others in the house and can be opened or closed through a scenic element - a golden velvet and silk curtain - that runs along the extension of the brass wall.
The wallpaper introduces a rich chromatic palette, which spreads to the ceramic tiles of the old chimney and bathroom walls and to the kitchen countertop stone.
Furniture, lamps, rugs and the plants were carefully selected as an extension of the architectural project narrative.
More information
Architects
BALA atelier.- Mariana Póvoa, Sílvia Rocio, Pedro Pedroso.
Area
90 sqm.
Dates
2020.
Manufacturers
Lighting.- Flos, GUBI, DCW, Miniforms, HAY, Tom Dixon, Lefroy Brooks, Marset, Manufactum, Areti. Furniture.- Zanat, Porada, Sollos, E15, Artek, ClassiCon, Fermliving, Design House of Stockholm. Rugs.-AYTM, Linie Design. Wall Paper.- Thibaut. Tiles.- Viúva Lamego. Curtains.- Atelier Fátima Neto. Switches.- Berker / Hager. Kitchen.- Bulthaup, BORA, Smeg. Others.- GSI, Olivari, SAL concept store. Plant Styling.- Superbotânica.
Location
Almirante Reis Avenue, Lisbon, Portugal.
Photography
Pedro Pedroso, Mariana Póvoa, Sílvia Rocio. BALA atelier
Pedro Pedroso graduated as an architect in Lisbon in 2003. He began his career collaborating with J.P. Falcão de Campos, which provided him with a solid professional base. Since then, he has been working with various architecture firms, collaborating in the development of projects in their different stages and areas of intervention. He has developed personal and collaborative projects in the field of architecture and photography. He has been on the BALA Ateliers team since January 2018, where he started as an associate architect and is now a partner.
Mariana Póvoa studied architecture in Lisbon, where she graduated in 2007. Also, she studied for one year at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He has worked in some architecture studios such as Baixa, Atelier de Arquitectura, or Traço Urbano Partners Groups. He was a teacher at the Jean Piaget University in Angola, where he instructed urban planning and regional and urban planning. She has been a member of BALA Ateliers since October 2017.
Sílvia Rocio in Lisbon in 2007 in architecture. He worked for several years at CAN RAN, ateliers de Santa Catarina. She has been a member of BALA Ateliers since October 2017.
Mariana Póvoa studied architecture in Lisbon, where she graduated in 2007. Also, she studied for one year at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He has worked in some architecture studios such as Baixa, Atelier de Arquitectura, or Traço Urbano Partners Groups. He was a teacher at the Jean Piaget University in Angola, where he instructed urban planning and regional and urban planning. She has been a member of BALA Ateliers since October 2017.
Sílvia Rocio in Lisbon in 2007 in architecture. He worked for several years at CAN RAN, ateliers de Santa Catarina. She has been a member of BALA Ateliers since October 2017.
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