Project Description (ENG)

Casa na Rua de Costa Cabral 944 is a single-family house located in the city center of Porto. The project resulted from the extension and restoration of an original building dating from the 1870s, whose load-bearing structure is made of solid granite masonry.

Porto is a windy Atlantic city, characterized by bright, white sunlight and clean air, comparatively low in pollution due to the ocean’s influence. Part of Porto’s historic center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its traditional architecture. At the same time, Porto is widely regarded as one of the world’s capitals of contemporary architecture, being the birthplace of two Pritzker Prize winners.

The project is located on a long and narrow plot. In response to its proportions and to local regulations, the ground floor was extended beyond the standard rear façade alignment. This extension accommodates the kitchen and defines a patio that separates it from the main volume of the house.

The kitchen
The extended volume hosts the kitchen and encloses the patio. A tall, narrow vertical window facing the patio allows visual continuity between the three main living spaces of the house: the kitchen, the living room, and the main suite.

The living room
The living room receives natural light through the patio. Reflected by the surrounding walls, this light becomes soft and uniform, creating optimal conditions for relaxation and reading.

The main suite
A horizontal window running along the entire length of the room provides uniform illumination and a pleasant view of the garden. The proportion of this opening also facilitates effective darkening, ensuring the calm and comfort required in a private resting space.

The children’s bedrooms
Oriented to the northwest and facing the busy Rua de Costa Cabral, the children’s rooms required specific acoustic and lighting strategies. To reduce direct noise while increasing the limited natural light, the window openings were shifted upward and bent horizontally toward the sky. This solution allows views of the blue sky, offering a calming presence for study and daily use.

This final design feature also contributes to the composition of the main façade, respecting the proportions and character of the original 1870s building while integrating contemporary architectural elements in a balanced and coherent manner.