portugal Archives

Fala Atelier designs Lisbon home with “very Portuguese” materials

Architecture studio Fala Atelier decked out the angular spaces of the 087 house in Lisbon with oversized spots and stripes, which also feature on its bold marble facade.

Designed by Porto-based studio Fala Atelier, 087 is a three-storey home in the Portuguese capital with a rectilinear facade decorated with chunky marble shapes.

Chunky marble facade — The 087 house features a facade decorated with chunky marble shapes

The studio, known for its playful use of geometry, created custom carpentry from locally sourced materials to accommodate the home’s curved and staggered walls and the sloping ceilings within the building.

A garden-facing kitchen on the ground floor includes terrazzo flooring and stepped timber cabinetry decorated with bold black and white stripes and topped with marble slabs.

Funnel-shaped extractor fan by Fala Atelier — A funnel-shaped extractor fan adds an eclectic touch

Unusual features such as a funnel-shaped, teal-hued extractor fan add an eclectic touch. This Fala Atelier-designed piece can also be found in a windowless garage in Lisbon that the studio converted for a couple.

“There are no elegant extractors on the market,” Fala Atelier partner Filipe Magalhães told Dezeen.

“All of them look like nasty appliances. With the kitchen in the way of the window, we knew we would have to integrate the fan. Since we couldn’t make it disappear, we celebrated the piece,” he added.

The open-plan kitchen connects to the living area, which is characterised by pinewood flooring dotted with geometric walnut accents.

“The colours of the stripes and the dots on the floor really try to be noble,” said Magalhães.

Living space with Togo sofas — Bespoke Fala Atelier-designed doors and window frames match the kitchen cabinets

The space also features doors designed by the studio and caramel-coloured Ligne Roset Togo sofas – a quilted and low-slung design classic created by Michel Ducaroy in 1973.

This seating was positioned next to a boxy fireplace clad with gleaming white ceramic tiles and a squat display plinth finished in veiny black marble.

Custom striped cabinetry by Fala Atelier — Custom cabinetry also features on the upper floors

“We tried to diversify the material palette as much as possible while still making it quite banal,” explained Magalhães.

“The choices are very Portuguese, but the mixture aims at being more than just that,” added the architect.

Board-formed concrete ceilings were included throughout

Upstairs, the same bespoke cabinetry as in the kitchen was used to form larger cupboards across the curved and angular private spaces of the two upper floors.

Board-formed concrete ceilings, which also feature downstairs, were paired with oversized rounded mirrors in the bathrooms and a mixture of timber and marble flooring.

The garden-facing facade follows the same geometry as its street-facing component, also featuring circular and rectilinear decorative shapes.

“This house is a lot about the relationship with the garden,” said Magalhães, noting the floor-to-ceiling glazing that connects the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Garden-facing facade with chunky marble decoration — 087 focuses on “the relationship with the garden”

Fala Atelier has designed several homes in a similar style, including six micro-houses in Porto with geometric forms and concrete finishes and another Porto property topped with a striped concrete roof.

The photography is by Francisco Ascensao and Giulietta Margot.

Reference

Interior Design

The Rebello Hotel occupies former factory along Porto’s riverside

By Zarkon Group,08/02/2024

This hotel by architecture studio Metro Urbe occupies a series of former industrial buildings on the banks of the River Douro in Porto, Portugal, and features interiors by Quiet Studios.

The Rebello Hotel is spread across several 19th-century buildings, which have been overhauled and adapted with new additions by Metro Urbe, in Vila Nova de Gaia – across the river from the city proper.

Reception desk with metal lattice front and hoop-shaped lights above — At The Rebello Hotel, nods to the site’s industrial past and Porto’s nautical history can be found in artworks and decor choices

Operated by Bomporto Hotels, which has two properties in Lisbon, the new addition to its portfolio was designed with a local approach and to take full advantage of its prime riverside location.

The Rebello is named after Porto’s famous rabelos – wooden boats that used to transport barrels of port wine down the river – and located beside the city’s only remaining boatyard.

Bar and cafe area with polished concrete floors and exposed ceiling ductwork — The lobby bar and cafe was designed for digital nomads to work and relax

The collection of buildings was once a kitchen utensil factory and had been unoccupied for some time before work began to reconfigure the site.

The team restored two long buildings that face onto the river, preserving their historic stone facades, and constructed two new volumes in the centre of the site that incorporate smaller original structures and resolve the sloping topography.

A variety of soft seating options in an industrial-style space — A variety of soft seating options enliven the industrial-style interiors of the hotel’s communal spaces

Presented with a blank canvas, Spanish interior designer Daniela Franceschini – founder of Lisbon-based Quiet Studios – worked with local artists and creatives to transform the industrial spaces into warm and comfortable guest facilities.

Using vintage and contemporary objects, she based the interiors around four key elements: water, wine, wood and industry.

Bright bedroom with neutral decor and wavy walnut headboard — Bedrooms are bright and neutral, with splashes of colour introduced through contemporary furniture

“There’s a nautical feel to the colours, materials and textures,” said Franceschini. “That also comes through in the lighting, which is suggestive of floating and sailboats, and in the lamps with chains, the wooden shelves by Tomaz Viana, the ceramic nets by Fig Studio and the undulating mirrors that evoke the movement of the sea.”

Above the retro-style reception counter, fronted by a metal lattice, is an artwork crafted using reclaimed materials from the rabelos, which was designed by Studio Ther in collaboration with a local artisan.

Double-height living and dining room with a long pendant lamp suspended over the table — Guest room types vary from studios to three-bedroom penthouse apartments

The lobby lounge and bar was designed for digital nomads to work or relax on a variety of comfortable soft seats, within a bright space that features polished concrete floors and exposed ceiling ductwork.

As a nod to the site’s history, the ground-floor Pot&Pan restaurant serves family-style dishes in large pots and pans within a space decorated with dark-toned walls and plants to create a casual atmosphere.

There’s also a cafe and store selling local produce and crafts, and meeting rooms that can be hired separately or combined for private events.

The Rebello Hotel’s 103 guest rooms and apartments are split into 11 different types, ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses that span 37 to 195 square metres.

Spa with textured plaster walls, and globe-shaped lights over a large pool — The hotel’s spa is modelled on ancient Roman baths

The interiors of its light-filled suites have been decorated with walnut, steel, concrete and tiles, along with contemporary furniture that introduces splashes of bright colour to the otherwise neutral palette.

The bedrooms also include “tailor-made pieces influenced by nautical and industrial design, such as the sinks inspired by old water tanks and the organically styled bed headboards that resemble the rippling waters of the Douro”, according to the design team.

Lounge chairs under umbrellas overlooking the Douro River — The fourth-floor rooftop bar offers views across the Douro River to the Porto skyline

The Rebello Hotel guests can enjoy a spa, modelled on ancient Roman baths and encompassing a heated pool, sauna, fitness centre and treatment rooms.

Finally, the Rooftop Bello bar on the fourth floor offers a spot for al fresco cocktails overlooking the river, with a view of the city’s terracotta-tiled skyline beyond.

Aerial view of The Rebello Hotel showing the layout of its terracotta-roofed buildings — The riverside site, a former kitchen utensil factory, was converted and extended by architects Metro Urbe

Other interior design projects in Porto include a rustic restaurant interior designed by Space Copenhagen, which features a ceramic mural by Álvaro Siza, and a sushi bar by Paulo Merlini where 8,000 wooden chopsticks hang above diners.

The photography is by Francisco Nogueira.

Reference

Interior Design

Bacana Studio designs interiors for riverfront Lisbon restaurant

By Zarkon Group,22/12/2023

Lisbon interior design practice Bacana Studio took cues from Portugal’s coastal traditions for the interiors of a João Luís Carrilho da Graça-designed Anfibio restaurant.

Located alongside the Tejo river, the restaurant was designed to “merge the duality of the sea and the land,” the interiors studio told Dezeen.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant — Striped benches create a corridor from the bar to the terrace

Named Anfibio – Latin for amphibious, meaning suited for both land and water – the restaurant serves both local seafood and “countryside produce”.

It is located in a glass-walled, pavilion-like structure designed by local architecture studio João Luís Carrilho da Graça alongside the Tejo river and its interiors were informed by its riverfront location drawing on the “dazzling reflections of the sun on the water”.

Within the 500-square-metre restaurant, which is used as a nightclub in the evenings, wooden flooring was stained with a “watery green” colour and a mirror-like fabric was used on the ceiling to reflect and refract light.

“The building’s architecture aims to blend in and go unnoticed, striving to merge with the river and reflect the city of Lisbon,” said Bacana Studio founder Ingrid Aparicio.

Anfibio restaurant — The restaurant is located on the Tejo river

According to the Bacana Studio, the open plan layout and five-metre-high ceilings posed a lighting and acoustic challenge.

As a result, the studio focused on “creating visual and functional interest from the ground up” with decorative elements, lighting and architectural features rising up from the floor.

“It’s the lighting itself that shapes and defines the spaces,” Aparicio explained. “We devised a concept where lighting emanates from the furniture, creating intimate spaces and avoiding the sensation of being in a vast and cold space.”

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant lighting — Light fittings emerge from the furniture

Small brass-shaded table lamps and arched brass and glass lamps, which were crafted to resemble the antennas of aquatic creatures, provide ambient lighting for each table and unify the space.

Visitors are greeted by a curvilinear “snake sofa” that divides the restaurant into two areas – an intimate zone with smaller tables on one side, and a more communal area with a large 10-seater table on the other.

“The design is meant to encourage you to let loose, which is why the organic shapes in the sofas, tables, and chairs, create an interesting flow to the space,” explained Aparicio.

On either end of the intimate zone is a long, 20-seater community table. The studio designed these with an aim to pay homage to the spirit of Lisbon’s traditional fish markets, serving as “a symbolic nod to the shared dining experiences fostered in such lively and communal settings”.

The wait-staff station and the wood, wicker and brass bar separate the kitchen from the dining area.

Two long, striped benches, positioned with their backs facing each other, lead out to the terrace, “segmenting the expansive layout of the restaurant into more intimate sections”.

The terrace, overlooking the port and the city of Lisbon, aims to “evoke the essence of an authentic beach club”.

Stripes were prominently used on the walls, upholstery, and furnishings, reminiscent of Portuguese fishermen’s cottages and coastal awnings.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant terrace. — Natural materials such as wood and wicker were prominently used

Other restaurant interiors recently featured on Dezeen include a Mexico City restaurant arranged around an upside-down pyramid bar and a converted Norwegian restaurant covered in restored paintings.

The photography is by Filipe Neto.

Reference

Architecture

josé pedro lima turns butcher shop into skylit space in portugal

By Zarkon Group,06/08/2023

josé pedro lima gives new life to old butcher shop in portugal

Architect José Pedro Lima has recently converted the old Central Butcher Shop in Portugal‘s downtown Coimbra into a minimalist real estate space punctuated by neat white walls, wooden tones, and generous daylight. In addition to preserving the original butcher shop’s marble flooring, Lima took advantage of the interior compartments, making slight surgical alterations that fit into the new program photographed by Ivo Tavares. While the main room of the new retail space retained practically the previous configuration, the former meat cutting area has been transformed into a meeting room, and a small kitchen replaces the old refrigeration chamber.

all images © Ivo Tavares Studio

restoring skylights amid a white and minimal backdrop

The Central Butcher Shop conversion by José Pedro Lima (see more here) also included the restoration of existing skylights, which were previously blocked off, and the coating of all walls in a white shade to minimize the use of artificial lighting, restoring natural illumination to the interior spaces. The different lighting configurations correspond to additional uses of the spaces — the meeting room and kitchen. Thanks to a transition in flooring and baseboards, as well as the centrality conferred by the conference table, the meeting room is perceived as a distinct space; here, the incidence of the corresponding skylight accentuates the desired solemn character of this space. ‘In summary, the aim was to retain and interpret the existing qualities of the butcher shop while also understanding the needs of the new program, with particular emphasis on proper natural lighting of the spaces,’ concludes the architect.

restoring the existing skylights

natural illumination flooding the converted space

chair/furniture by SPSS Design Studio

Reference

Architecture

Why Portugal Is a Dream Destination for Design Lovers

By Zarkon Group,28/07/202212/08/2022

Portugal is one of the most visited countries in Europe, and there is no surprise why. Located at the southwest point of Europe, Portugal enjoys a coastline connected to the Atlantic Ocean and borders Spain to the east. The country is filled with a range of breathtaking landscapes and historical sites to explore, all within close proximity to one another. Portugal harmoniously blends heritage with modernity, making it an unbeatable travel destination — for leisure and for architecture. From museums and interactive installations to distinctive religious sites and elevated hospitality, there is something for everyone in Portugal. This collection will highlight some some of the country’s stunning contemporary architecture, represented by a range of typologies.

Museums

Photos by Joao Morgado

Museums play an important role in reciting the history, culture and heritage of a nation, and in Portugal, one will find an abundance of modern complexes dedicated to Portuguese art and culture.

Take the Olive Oil Museum for example. Located in Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal, and designed by VT – Vasco Teixeira Architecture, this site delineates the history of olive oil production. The museum features an array of objects belonging to the owner António Dias’ private collection dating back to the Romans. The site was built in the shape of an olive branch, which reflects the museum’s theme and becomes recognizable to visitors. From a bird’s eye view, one can recognize the form of an olive branch, which was designed using natural shapes and earth-toned hues.

Visitors are taken through a chronological journey that retells the history of producing olive oil. Each room is connected to the museum’s central space, and as viewers move through the edifice, they finish in a room that faces the breathtaking Serra de Estrela mountain range. This museum is distinctive and particular to Portugal and serves as a fantastic day trip for tourists who find themselves in the central district of Coimbra.

History

One does not need to venture far to be immersed in Portugal’s expansive history. From the eighth century, Muslim communities dominated the Iberian Peninsula and have left their mark in today’s modern-day Portugal. Moorish architecture can be spotted by simply browsing the streets of Lisbon, while others incorporate traditional Moorish elements into their contemporary builds.

For example, a residential dwelling located in Mesão Frio, Portugal embraces the Moorish tradition of privacy without compromising sight. Quinta da Boavista designed by SAMF Arquitectos is located near Portugal’s Douro River and overlooks a hilly valley. The home is located on a wine-producing estate and takes the form of a U shape. The home’s two existing structures are connected by a new volume and together create an expansive courtyard.

The newer dwelling continues the stonework found in the original edifice and was designed to relate to the surrounding landscape. Openings were added to strengthen the relationship between indoors and out — even the additional bedrooms lead onto an outdoor terrace. The home is deeply connected to the outdoors however, in keeping with Moorish traditions, a sense of privacy is maintained through a purposeful placement of openings that can be obscured if need be.

Progressive Private Residences

Portugal’s visual language is rich in well-preserved historic architecture and innovative contemporary design. This marriage of old and new makes for a special place to explore.

Located in the prestigious town of Cascais is The Wall House, a residential dwelling designed by Guedes Cruz Architects. The home is everything but boring and was built primarily using concrete, glass and wood. At first glance, the home looks like a large concrete box, which was done to protect the structure from the Atlantic winds as well as provide a sense of privacy. However, once inside, the experience changes. The dwelling’s most pronounced feature is the two exterior pools, one located on the ground level and the other above.

The upper-level pool is placed across the ground-level pool and features a transparent glass floor. Due to its transparency, the ground level is filled with a unique blue hue. Additionally, a glistening ambiance is created by the shadows from the water above as well as the sunlight filtering through the upper-level pool. The home is designed to offer expansive views of the adjacent golf course while maintaining a degree of privacy. It is not every day that one comes across a residence like this. The Wall House exemplifies the innovative architecture one will come across in Portugal.

Interactive Streets

Portuguese designers utilize public spaces in a very special way. With the goal of strengthening community and encouraging interaction, public structures can be found throughout the country.

atelier do rossio architecture embraced the metamorphosis of a butterfly to inform the design of a public installation. Located in Viseu, Portugal is COCOON, a public structure designed for anyone and everyone. The cocoon symbolizes metamorphosis, growth, and shelter, and the structure is intended to do just that – protect and aid in transformation. The structure is a weaved cocoon made of wood and steel. Origami pieces cover the façade which works to enclose the structure and give it its distinctive appearance. Passerbyers are able to interact with the space in whatever capacity they please – whether it be admiring it from afar or enjoying it from within.

Elevated Hospitality & Unbeatable Landscapes

Jury Winner & Popular Choice, 2021 A+Awards, Unbuilt Hospitality | Photo by Mir AS

Photo by 24STUDIO

From mountain ranges, rolling plains to archipelagoes, Portugal is filled with spectacular landscapes all within arm’s reach. Portugal’s special topography has attracted tourists for decades, and the recent influx of visitors has given rise to the booming hospitality industry. In Portugal, one will find luxurious hotels and breathtaking landscapes, and sometimes, the two collide.

Located in Tabuaço, Portugal on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alto Douro Wine Region is Quinta de Santo António Hotel & Winery. This award-winning hotel is located below an 18th-century chapel and consists of a series of volumes positioned around a courtyard. The design team, Atelier Sérgio Rebelo, carefully studied the region’s vernacular architecture and local materials to construct the hotel. The site effortlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape and is designed so that guests can connect and experience this special wine region. The site’s architecture works to frame views of the surrounding landscape while offering a high-end hotel experience. Quinta de Santo António Hotel & Winery is an unparalleled hotel experience that offers breathtaking views, incredible wine and sophisticated amenities.

Unique Religious Sites

Popular Choice, 2018 A+Awards, Architecture + Wood | Jury Winner & Popular Choice , 2018 A+Awards, Religious Buildings & Memorials

Portugal’s most practiced religion is Roman Catholic, and as a result, one will find an array of ancient religious sites to visit. However, today’s devout don’t only frequent historic sites to practice their faith.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Portugal – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,30/04/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Portugal

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week, we’ve headed to the Iberian peninsula…

Portugal Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 31st

Climate targets: at least 40 per cent domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, carbon neutral by 2050.

Sustainability issues:

Air pollution – levels of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide are so high in three of Portugal’s air quality zones, that the European Commission has decided to sue the country. Emissions of the noxious gas come mostly from road traffic – especially diesel vehicles.

Energy poverty – Portugal has one of the highest proportions of people living in fuel poverty in the EU. This is because the country has some of Europe’s highest electricity and natural gas prices, as well as a high proportion of poorly insulated homes.

Drought – There has been little rain anywhere in Portugal in 2022, with 95 per cent of the country facing severe or extreme drought conditions. This is making the growing season extremely difficult for farmers. Climatologists believe that climate change is playing a part in the current drought.

Sector specialisms:

Hardware and internet of things
Energy and environment
Foodtech

Source: StartupBlink

Three Exciting Innovations From Portugal

A SPACE DEBRIS TRACKING SYSTEM HELPS PREVENT COLLISIONS

Historically, the race to space has focused on getting teams and countries into orbit, with far fewer resources dedicated to cleaning up after missions. But with space traffic growing rapidly, there is a growing need to track the rubbish left behind in order to prevent dangerous collisions. Portugal’s Neuraspace, part of the European Space Agency’s Business Incubator programme, recently raised €2.5 million to bring its intelligent monitoring platform to market. Read more.

A SENSOR MONITORS THE STRENGTH AND EFFICIENCY OF WIND TURBINE BLADES

Current wind turbine monitoring systems are not built to track the full length of the world’s largest blades, and updated materials technologies are also adding complexity to such oversight. Porto and Rotterdam-based Fibersail is piloting a shape-sensing wind turbine blade monitoring system that tracks the full shape and curvature of each blade – even the newest, longest blades. Such monitoring helps to identify the most efficient positions for each turbine. and also provides owners and maintenance managers with the means to detect when a part is working below capacity – much earlier than is currently possible. Read more.

A VR BRAIN TRAINING APP TO TEST COGNITIVE SKILLS

Lisbon-based Virtuleap is a health and education startup using artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to elevate the cognitive assessment and training industry. The company believes that VR brain training can add value to any healthy lifestyle as a frequent activity taking up less than 10 minutes per session. Virtuleap’s core product, Enhance, is a VR app with a library of brain training games that test and train various cognitive skills like memory, problem-solving, spatial orientation, and motor control. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

29th April 2022

Reference

portugal

Fala Atelier designs Lisbon home with “very Portuguese” materials

The Rebello Hotel occupies former factory along Porto’s riverside

Bacana Studio designs interiors for riverfront Lisbon restaurant

josé pedro lima turns butcher shop into skylit space in portugal

josé pedro lima gives new life to old butcher shop in portugal

restoring skylights amid a white and minimal backdrop

Why Portugal Is a Dream Destination for Design Lovers

Museums

History

Progressive Private Residences

Interactive Streets

Elevated Hospitality & Unbeatable Landscapes

Unique Religious Sites

Global innovation spotlight: Portugal – Springwise

Global innovation spotlight: Portugal

Portugal Innovation Facts

Three Exciting Innovations From Portugal

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