This renovation project transformed an apartment in a 1960s building in Lisbon to meet the contemporary needs of a couple. The intervention focused on the social area, demolishing walls to merge the kitchen and living room into a continuous space, maximising openness as well as natural and indirect light. The design sought to preserve the aesthetic and historical character of the Campo de Ourique neighbourhood, restoring elements such as the solid sucupira wood flooring in the private areas and the original carpentry. In contrast with this preserved memory, a minimalist and cosmopolitan design was introduced, with a neutral colour palette (white walls and Estremoz white marble in the hall, living room and kitchen) that functions as an abstract white canvas. A notable exception is the use of dark Ruivina marble in the en-suite bathroom, adding a sense of surprise, luxury and exclusivity.

The central concept was to maximise light and the spatial connection between the two façades, creating visual fluidity throughout the social area. The new interior, now a three-bedroom layout (including a master suite, walk-in closet and office), represents a delicate balance between the apartment’s original identity and modern living principles. The use of noble materials (marble and sucupira wood), the minimalist horizontal lighting lines in the ceilings and the bespoke built-in furniture give the home a distinct character, making it more functional, comfortable and contemporary, suited to a cosmopolitan lifestyle in the historical heart of Campo de Ourique.

Team

Bruno Câmara, Andrei Barros, Íris Pedro, João Câmara, Miguel Vieira da Silva, Paulo Silva Nunes, Miguel Calado, Inês Infante