Architects: Camarim Arquitectos
Area: 45 m²
Year: 2014
Photography: Nelson Garrido
Lead Architects: Vasco Correia, Patricia Sousa
Collaborators: Tiago Garrido, Jonas Grinevicius
Floor Area: 205 m²
City: Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Casa no Príncipe Real, a compact urban house designed by Camarim Arquitectos in Lisbon, is situated on a 41 m² plot near the Garden of Príncipe Real. The five-story building was conceived to accommodate a family within the limited space, utilizing each floor for a distinct function. Completed in 2014, the design effectively maximizes the small site while maintaining functionality.
The house features a vertical atrium that brings natural light and passive cooling to all floors. The exterior offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional Portuguese tiles, while the construction employs a light steel framing system, marking the first instance of such a method being used in Lisbon.
Due to the limited space, each floor of the house serves a distinct function and has a unique layout. The floors are connected by a vertical atrium with variable geometry, which allows natural light to permeate the interior and creates a cadenced, progressive route through the house. This atrium also function as a thermal chimney, providing passive cooling during spring and summer, as well as enabling air circulation throughout the year.
The exterior of the building is a modern reinterpretation of the tiles that covered the original structure, which was in a state of advanced decay. The design translates the original tile motif into an abstract pattern, expressed through three different mediums: a flat-tile base, a bas-relief-tile body, and a perforated steel entablature that allows light to pass through.
Given the challenges of constructing on such a small plot, the architects chose a light steel framing (LSF) construction system, known for its excellent thermal and acoustic properties. This project is notable as the first building in Lisbon to utilize this system.
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Project Location
Address: Príncipe Real, Lisbon, Portugal
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily address.
