Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, WindowsRehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, WindowsRehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, LightingRehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior PhotographyRehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - More Images+ 21

  • Arquitetura: Andreia Pereira, António Simões, Catarina Brites, Miguel Pinto, Sara Walton
  • Engenharia Estrutural: Poliedro - Centro de Projectos de Construção, Lda.
  • Instalações Hidráulicas: Fernanda Valente, Unipessoal, Lda.
  • Projeto Térmico: Enescoord - Gestão de Projetos e Obras
  • Telecomunicações: Enescoord - Gestão de Projetos e Obras
  • Instalações Elétricas: Enescoord - Gestão de Projetos e Obras
  • Conforto Acústico: Enescoord - Gestão de Projetos e Obras
  • Construção: Justino Silva Construções, Unipessoal, Lda.
  • Carpintaria: Feitios e Tamanhos - Carpintarias, Lda.
  • City: Porto
  • Country: Portugal
More SpecsLess Specs
Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Windows
© Inês d’Orey

Text description provided by the architects. In the heart of the Historic Center of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we come across a building in decay, reduced to the strength of its stone walls.

The challenge was to create a contemporary interior that, starting from this pre-existence, would recreate a configuration of spaces and materials with strong references to Porto’s 19th century architecture. Currently, the building comprises two dwellings and a space with a commercial vocation. The dwellings are organized into two overlapping autonomous units, one studio apartment and the other a 3-bedroom apartment. 

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Countertop, Windows, Chair
© Inês d’Orey

Located on a corner that divides two streets with prominent slopes, the building adapts to this morphology, presenting entrances at different levels. One, at the lowest level, from Rua da Vitória, offers access to the commercial area. Another, at the highest level, from Travessa do Ferraz, guarantees access to the dwellings.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Lighting
© Inês d’Orey

The narrowness between streets creates a great proximity between the facades of the first floors. Only the last floor rises above the surroundings, projecting a view over the Historic Center from a generous balcony.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Windows
© Inês d’Orey

As it is a restoration, the project sought an approach to the original materials and construction techniques of the 19th century. The existing stone walls were restored and prepared to receive the new structure. A set of structural wooden beams support ceilings and floors in the same material, combined with joists and thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Perimeter metal beams fixed to the stone walls and connected to the wooden structural elements stabilize the whole.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Windows, Door
© Inês d’Orey
Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Image 20 of 26
Third Floor Plan
Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Door
© Inês d’Orey

All windows received new frames in solid wood. All iron elements were restored. The receded upper body was covered in zinc on the walls and ceramic tile on the gable roof, in dialogue with its surroundings and fitting in with the landscape of the historic center.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Interior Photography
© Inês d’Orey

The exposed wooden structure, the white that connects walls and ceilings, the gray furniture, and the warm color of the wood that covers the floor are the continuous elements that flow between these spaces. The options underlying this restoration considered the current requirements of comfort and health, specifically regarding the ventilation of spaces and reduction of thermal losses, as well as the occlusion of all infrastructures. The project was guided by the principle of reversibility, with maximum respect for the pre-existing conditions.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz was a finalist in the PNAM'21 - Prémio Nacional de Arquitetura em Madeira.

Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos - Exterior Photography
© Inês d’Orey

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Tv. do Ferraz 2, 4050-263 Porto, Portugal

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Rehabilitation of a building in Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos" [Reabilitação de Prédio na Travessa do Ferraz / Paulo Freitas e Maria João Marques Arquitectos] 02 Oct 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/964676/rehabilitation-of-a-building-in-travessa-do-ferraz-paulo-freitas-e-maria-joao-marques-arquitectos> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.