Personal Project (partnership with André Marques) - Built
Keep Ego and Budget Under Control...
CONCEPT . With an extremely tight budget, and us as our clients (though job this one), the main challenge of this project was to keep our own architectural ego under control, not overspend and not do "tabula rasa" of an apartment with some interesting original architectural features... Our approach was pragmatic, minimalistic and simple: to preserve and enhance as much as possible the apartaments original architectural features from the 50´s, mix them with "modernity" and add real value to it. Some of those included the wooden floor, doors, skirting boards and the kitchen chimney.
MATERIALITY + MAJOR CHANGES . The choice of new cladding materials, such as the mosaic floors and tiles of the kitchen and toilets were determined by this tight budget and followed this 50's "vibe". From a spatial point of view 4 major changes were introduced to the apartament: the kitchen, which was totally renewed, having the original chimney as its anchor, the toilet, too big, completely outdated and with a inefficient layout, which was transformed in two, one of which became ensuite, the 2 bedrooms which were equipped with fitted wardrobes replacing a previous storage space located in between them and the balcony, which had its original mosaic tiled floor preserved, as well as its original balustrade and open up again by removing its cheap anodized aluminium framed windows.
THE RESULT . The result was an apartment full of character, personality and natural light, with an outdoor space where our future client can enjoy plenty of sun bathing... Hopefully it will sell soon.
BEFORE & AFTER
Existing Kitchen
Existing Floorplan
Proposed Floorplan
CREDITS
Architecture » Pedro Dias | Architect + André Marques
Construction Follow Up » Pedro Dias | Architect + André Marques
Contractor » Hélio Jorge Faria Caseiro
Photographs » Nuno Almendra
Client » Private Investor
