Hello Lisbon Castelo

In this example we can highlight the Investor's will and initiative, allong with the knowledge of technicians, architects, engineers and builders to restore life and dignity to a building that was in a great state of degradation and which purpose has been mischaracterized over time. In a contemporary perspective and in it's own context, we tried to enhance the experience of inhabiting the intrinsic features of the new and the old, in order to keep the most of the building's character and expression also in the articulation of its interior space.

At the interior architecture level we emphasized its complexity and structural heterogeneity, choosing the main resistant elements of the building as guides for the design of the space, articulating circulations and interior compartments, as well as its whole relationship with the street and patio.

On the other hand this work is unique in what concerns for the interventions of artists who, by installing art works in the building area, raised the subject of art and rehabilitation symbiosis.

The property, wich was in great state of degradation, is located in the current parish of St. Maria Maior, Lisbon, which is integrated in Level II of Archaeological Value Areas.
The 1755 earthquake consequently led to a rehabilitation phase; then, eighteenth-century polychrome panels that existed there were replaced by Pombalino's panels.

Structurally the building is had two construction phases: The Pre-Pombalina (XIII-XV century) in the ground floor and the 1st floor, and the Post-Pombalina (XVIII century) in the 2nd floor and attic tapped.

The rehabilitation of the building aimed to recover its value and to convert its use for local housing and tourism. The building features the most energy-efficient solution, (A) classification, award in the 2015 National Prize for Urban Rehabilitation, Portugal. The project was nominated for Archdaily building of the year 2016 – category interior architecture.

André Espinho Arquitectura has experience in Architecture and Interior Detailed Design, involved in leading the design process in all of its phases and handling technical support to site construction.