ala.rquitectos integrates light-filled courtyard into renovated lisbon apartment

ala.rquitectos revives flat on Rua de São Sebastião da Pedreira

São Sebastião 123 apartment rehabilitation by ala.rquitectos focuses on revitalizing a Lisbon apartment situated on Rua de São Sebastião da Pedreira, a historic artery in the city. Originally built in the early 20th century and with a varied history, the building served different purposes, including hosting a philharmonic society. The initial state of the apartment, formerly a 1990s office with open spaces and light-partitioned offices, underwent a comprehensive transformation. The project involved the removal of these structures, revealing areas with limited natural light and ventilation.

To address these challenges, the design incorporated a new accessible courtyard and reorganized an existing one. This strategic move enabled the positioning of the private program in the rear section of the apartment. The social area, marked by fluidity, was crafted as a sequence of interconnected spaces defined by two non-orthogonal walls painted in pink. These walls initiate at the apartment’s entrance, creating moments of compression through diagonal and curved designs, leading to more expansive and inviting spaces.

all images by do mal o menos – Architectural Photography

versatile arrangement merges work and living functions

A pivotal design element, a large blue box, functions as a hinge that both defines and organizes the program. It facilitates the expansion of spaces, fostering a dynamic interplay between different moments within the apartment. This central piece serves as the kitchen core, featuring sliding doors that establish a connection between the living room and the dining room. On the main facade, alongside a spacious living area, two smaller rooms serve as versatile workspaces, a library, or meeting rooms. ala.rquitectos‘ thoughtful arrangement aligns with contemporary living trends, acknowledging the increasing overlap of work and family spaces, and providing a responsive solution to evolving lifestyle needs.

São Sebastião 123 by ala.rquitectos revitalizes a 1990s Lisbon apartment

a new accessible courtyard and reorganized existing space enhanced the apartment’s layout

the project involved removing structures to address limited natural light and ventilation

a large blue box serves as a pivotal design element, defining and organizing the program

the central piece functions as the kitchen core, connecting the living and dining rooms

the central volume facilitates the expansion of spaces and fosters dynamic interplay within the apartment

the added walls create moments of compression, leading to expansive and inviting spaces

the social area features interconnected spaces defined by non-orthogonal pink walls

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project info:

name: São Sebastião 123
architect: ala.rquitectos | @ala.rquitectos

location: Lisbon, Portugal

photography: do mal o menos – Architectural Photography | @domalomenos

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom