Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - WindowsOh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Fence, Windows, Facade, HandrailOh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Image 4 of 61Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Image 5 of 61Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - More Images+ 56

Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Image 33 of 61
© José Campos

Text description provided by the architects. A building on a privileged site in dialogue with the emblematic D.Luís I bridge, the river, facing the houses and Porto´s Ribeira, embedded within a unique landscape that leads us where the Douro crosses the horizon. Building on top of this area protected under the flag of Unesco with its charming historical character, was a delicate process – a deep reflection made of very strong restrictions.

Site Plan

The existing building, buffeted by abandonment and full of add-ons, would have to adapt to a new type of use: apartments for local tourism. On four floors, measuring 13.80m by 7.20m, it was necessary to organise five independent studios for flexible use, a penthouse, a reception with a common kitchen, back office and technical areas.

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Image 5 of 61
© José Campos

Given the constraints of the building´s weakness, the remaining thick perimeter granite walls, and new programmatic use, the design concept serves three principal structures:

1- a longitudinal concrete axis serving as backbone to support the existing structure and to solve all the technical necessities: bathrooms, kitchens, vertical ducts, lighting and the elevator. Applying this layout, the studios became open spaces and the longitudinal view: the courtyard versus the Oporto, the Douro river, the bridges, and the ocean.

Axonometric

2 - a staircase, on the concrete spine alignment, connects all floors and different exterior areas.

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Facade, Windows, Handrail, Balcony
© José Campos

3 - a new volume, assuming as an “add-on”, with the typical black slate outside skin- two bedroom apartment with a large living room facing the best panoramic views towards Oporto.

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Windows, Facade
© José Campos

The proposal is expressed along a longitudinal section, between the margins of reconstruction, the new structure and the backyard areas, from the street level to the top. These relations enhance the inner experience of the building, framing the construction site challenged by conditions concerning space and light, became the design themes, articulating different levels of privacy within the excavated granite, under tension with the sculptural stairs, the back concrete hill and the D.Luís I bridge.

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Image 4 of 61
© José Campos

From the inside, the building, reveals the structural and conceptual narrative. The concrete slabs and walls, show the spine which holds the thick granite walls, with the existing windows as framed views. And the penthouse, as it is a penthouse, is white!

Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos - Windows
© José Campos

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Project location

Address:Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

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About this office
Cite: "Oh!Porto Apartments / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos" 12 Oct 2016. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/797022/oh-porto-apartments-nuno-de-melo-e-sousa-plus-hugo-ferreira-arquitectos> ISSN 0719-8884

© José Campos

Oh!Porto 公寓 / Nuno de Melo e Sousa + Hugo Ferreira Arquitectos

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