For the past three decades, we have been studying, researching and developing architectures focused on Man and its Way of Living. We believe in architecture as a sensorial and emotional experience and we understand that space must have, as a common denominator, the happiness and well-being, both physical and psychological, of each of its users.

12 years ago, our CEO Nuno Lacerda Lopes had just finished defending his doctoral thesis where he developed an extensive study about the project and the new ways of inhabiting. Several years later, and based on our extensive experience in this field, we consider that the exceptionality of the current circumstances, where all assumptions, spaces and functionalities are called into question – pushed to the limit – require and justify an approach capable of launching guidelines for a new way of inhabiting.

Based on the local logic of opposition and contrasts, the facade of the adjacent building facing Rua da Ribeira Nova is restored, which will now receive the spaces for coffee/restaurant, multipurpose room and distribution atrium.

Over this “base”, with a heavy and massive character with a “filled” Past, a new volume, made of glass, light and mirrored, of immaterial character, reflects Lisbon, the Present and the Future and assumes the ideal of oppositions present in the project. This volume, which will welcome the formation rooms, is a “body”, clear, fluid and crystalline, that “sometimes it is seen, sometimes it evaporates”, and also embodies a reference to the water element that is at the origin of the collective memory of that place and the Baths of São Paulo.

In the coverage of this volume, a wide living space is projected, a belvedere facing the Dom Luís Garden and the Tejo River, exploring the privileged views of this place and, in a way, opening the Order of Architects to the public, in a democratic and clear way, enabling the enjoyment of this space to the passer-by, the tourist, the citizen.

Finally, “floating” over the “body of glass”, almost in unbalance, a new volume is presented, called the “Black Box”. This element allows, urbanly, to finish the drawer and to give it the appropriate scale and proportion. However, it is assumed as an essential part of the solution: it is an open and unfinished space, a “Black Box”, a unique space, destined for the ever new and disruptive use by OA member architects, either for the realization of installations, art exhibits, or even for the promotion of architectural and urbanistic actions to the visitors of the panoramic terrace.

The land with 2.311,00 sq.m, is inserted in a predominantly residential area of single-family houses with garden, in the Union of Parishes of São Mamede de Infesta and Senhora da Hora, Municipality of Matosinhos.

The dwelling of typology T4, will have an implantation area of 555,00 sq.m and a total useful area of construction of 525,00 sq.m. The gross construction area will be 628.00 sq.m.

Regarding the remoteness it is important to mention that the implantation follows the alignment of the remaining constructions in the street. The exterior wall which is the boundary of the property and which constitutes the urban front to the street, will be new, plastered and painted white, guaranteeing the necessary entrances for housing and parking.

The site of the intervention, with 443,50 sq.m, is inserted in a predominantly residential area of single-family houses and is located at Rua 14, nº 425, in the parish and municipality of Espinho.

The main objective of the intervention was the development of a solution that complies with the defined functional program and respect for the environment, while trying to enhance the use of the land and its characteristics.

The project proposes the construction of new walls, at a uniform height, aligned with the lowest roof level of the existing construction. In order to make the route more dynamic and to bring natural light into the interior of the dwelling, it is proposed to open a new courtyard, on which all the interior compartmentalization will develop.

The new proposal creates a transparent and communicating space where all the functions of the new dwelling can be carried out in direct connection with the exterior but in a protected way with a subtle design of facade planes, cutting out differentiating geometries thus characterizing the design of the central courtyard which is the heart and identity of the whole project, making it distinctive.

The access to the dwelling is made through the 14th Street and the sidewalk, one accesses an entrance patio that takes the user in a promenade of access to the dwelling, crossing a garden, until reaching the central patio, where the entrance is located. Once inside, one accesses an atrium where a screen separates the entrance area from the living room and the dining area, keeping the space fluid and continuous. The circulation is made around the courtyard, accompanying the large glass cloths.

The solution presented has as main objective to value and provide the place with an essential facility for the enjoyment of the values of the beach and the sea in general, aimed at a very comprehensive type of population, ranging from the common tourist using a nearby beach to the casual passer-by.

The construction has a single floor, occupying an area of 195.70 sq.m, being 149.30 sq.m referring to the bar and 46.4 sq.m referring to the beach support itself; it also includes an outdoor uncovered terrace with a useful area of 80.00 sq.m. The space destined to the bar is composed by a living room, sanitary installations, balcony, kitchen and other accessory compartments that perform the function of providing support and conditions of use to these, more important in the morphology of the bar.

The beach support, consists of male and female changing rooms and toilets with independent access directly from the outside, as well as a compartment in each of these spaces for people with reduced mobility. It also includes a beach support warehouse and an information and assistance/surveillance post, a telecommunications line for emergency communications.

The construction of the beach support will be executed in reinforced concrete in sight. Inside, will be used in a general way plaster based finishes on the ceilings and walls and paint with the exception of wet areas, where will be used waterproof and washable coatings.
The volume of the outdoor esplanade will have a structure in painted steel profiles, in order to reduce its erosion, next to a wooden slat that can protect its users from the strong sun exposure in this area, especially in summer.