FERNÃO DE MAGALHÃES. APARTMENT

Rehabilitation project for an apartment in a 1965 building, designed by architects Arménio Losa and Cassiano Barbosa. The space, originally designed as a three-bedroom apartment, was never inhabited, having functioned from the outset as an office for the architects Alcino Costa and Fonte Lopes. Despite this, it has remained practically intact, with the original spatial organization and various finishes preserved.

The aim of the intervention was to adapt the apartment to the current demands of comfort and functionality, while respecting the essence of the original project. The main change was the connection between the vestibule and the antechamber of the service area, creating a wider entrance. One of the bedrooms was integrated into the common room, allowing for the creation of a work area and more storage. The pantry was removed to enlarge the kitchen.

The wooden elements considered essential were kept and restored: the pine parquet flooring, the doors with different glazing depending on the area of the house, the trims and the high, expressive skirting boards.

In the kitchen, tiles with characteristics close to the originals were applied: aqua-green tiles on the walls (11x11 cm) and gray tiles on the floor (20x20 cm). The existing overhead cabinet was replicated with ergonomic adaptations. A bench with cupboards was created and access to the balcony was reorganized.

The bathrooms were completely renovated. Both were clad in black marble and fitted with shower trays. The former service toilet has been integrated into the social area as a second functional bathroom.

The wood finishing options - painting the existing ones and varnishing the new surfaces - made it possible to clearly separate the new elements designed in this intervention: a fixed work table next to the living room window and a sliding door in translucent gray glass, with a walnut wood frame, which allows different readings from the entrance, stand out.