It seemed like a simple commission: to refurbish a dwelling located on the upper floor of a building. Apart from a cosmetic “facelift” inside, nothing more was required… but things turned out differently.
The surprise came when we began the demolition and discovered that the original wooden roof structure, which we had planned to preserve, rested directly on the existing partition walls. This not only posed a serious structural risk but also made it impossible to modify the layout. After analyzing the situation, it was decided that the roof had to be replaced entirely.
Since there was another dwelling below, replicating the wooden structure was not an option, mainly because we could not leave the lower residence exposed to the elements at any time—a solution that would have required more time. On top of that, the replacement coincided with the rainy season, leaving us no choice but to consider a new prefabricated structural system that allowed for quick assembly.
The solution of metal trusses met all of our requirements: lightweight, quick to assemble, fabricated in the workshop, and capable of spanning nearly 7.50 meters between the façade walls. Moreover, they could be installed in parallel with the dismantling of the existing roof. All in one day. Of course, obtaining the street-cutting permit took almost a month…
Once the new roof was installed (reusing the original ceramic tiles and adding insulated panels), we were faced with two possible approaches: to install a horizontal false ceiling and create a two-bedroom dwelling, or to leave the structure exposed and preserve the entire space as a void. The latter option was chosen.
The resulting space is an emptiness that invites flexible use by its occupants. It has no predetermined function. Its use will evolve, just as the space itself will. The absence of furniture initially generates uncertainty, while at the same time expanding possibilities. The only built element is a partition wall running perpendicular to both façades, concealing the kitchen, bathroom, and storage.
