This project involves the renovation and expansion of an existing building located near the mouth of the Douro River, in Porto. Positioned within a dense and historic urban fabric, the intervention negotiates between preservation and contemporary living, stitching the new architecture into the characteristic rhythm of the surrounding rooftops, narrow streets, and garden backdrops.

From the street, the project maintains the recognizable presence of the original three-storey volume, preserving its proportions, window hierarchy, and traditional roof profile. The extension grows organically from this main body, unfolding through a sequence of smaller, interconnected volumes that cascade toward the rear garden. This gradual articulation respects the scale of the neighborhood while offering generous outdoor spaces—including terraces and patios embedded into the stepped massing.

The façade concept is rooted in the idea of construction layers and tectonic clarity: wall surfaces appear as overlapping planes, revealing subtle shifts in depth and texture. These “stacked” façade elements evoke the process of building over time.

Interior spaces extend the project’s calm, crafted identity. Warm timber surfaces, large openings, and soft natural light define the living areas, establishing a close relationship with the exterior terraces and surrounding greenery.

At the urban scale, the renovated building blends seamlessly into the red-tile skyline of Foz Velha while subtly introducing a contemporary architectural language. From above, the project appears as a gentle evolution of the existing structure—an accretion of volumes that respects heritage but embraces modern domestic life.

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STATUS: under construction

LOCATION: Porto (PT)

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER : Eleven Steps

MEP ENGINEER: SprenPLAN

VISUALIZATION: Bisto + Unbuiltmatters