Located in the neighborhood of Campo de Ourique, within one of the buildings of the block designed by architect Rodrigues Lima in the late 1930s, this intervention aimed to renovate and expand an existing apartment, adapting it to the contemporary needs of its owners. The project is grounded in a sensitive reading of the pre-existing structure and a thoughtful reorganization of its internal layout. The goal was to optimize space, improve spatial flow, and expand the living area through the integration of the previously inaccessible attic.

The proposal was based on a careful spatial reconfiguration, with key interventions including:

— In the entrance hall, a wooden staircase was introduced to connect the original floor to the attic, which now houses the primary bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a closet located in the area with the lowest ceiling height;

— The kitchen was redesigned, enlarging the access opening from the corridor and creating a new pantry area by taking advantage of the space beneath the new staircase;

— The existing guest WC, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was repositioned to be entered directly from the main corridor, ensuring greater autonomy and functionality;

— The demolition of the partition wall between the two smaller rooms allowed for the creation of a single, more spacious and versatile bedroom;

— The main bathroom was reorganized and enlarged by incorporating part of the corridor, resulting in a more efficient and comfortable space aligned with modern standards.

On the lower floor, the project prioritized the preservation of materials and elements with historical and material value, maintaining the original wooden flooring and replacing the ceramic finishes in the wet areas—kitchen and bathroom. The ceilings were upgraded with plasterboard and mineral rock wool acoustic insulation to improve both comfort and acoustic performance.

The attic expansion respects the existing structure, with reinforcement or replacement of the wooden beams using the same materials and constructive techniques. The new flooring was executed in oak engineered wood, ensuring durability and aesthetic continuity. The attic bathroom features continuous cementitious mortar finishes for ease of maintenance and longevity. Walls were finished in synthetic plaster and ceilings in plasterboard with acoustic insulation.

Material selection was guided by functionality, durability, and aesthetic coherence, ensuring seamless integration with the apartment’s original character while delivering a contemporary standard of living.

The result is a balanced and cohesive intervention that enhances the value of the existing structure, improves functional efficiency, and creates a renewed living space with quality, elegance, and a strong sense of place—respecting both the architectural language and scale of the building it inhabits.