This unique and singular story starts when our clients uncovered a hidden gem right at the heart of Príncipe Real, one of Lisbon’s most coveted and beautiful neighbourhoods. What made this discovery truly exceptional was the balance between the artistry of a bygone era, preserving the exquisite craftsmanship of the late 19th century, and the incredible energy and drive with which they trusted us with doing something new and original, going back to move forward.
It proved to be a challenge that left any nostalgic attachment behind, by finding inspiration in the heritage and craft, but reworking it with a twist by pushing it forward, test and trial.
In the end, the project is a testament to the trust and binding spirit between sketch/idea/plan, and final product, and it proved to be truly inspirational in which it layered every thought and move with the creative freedom to mix and match. Born of serendipity, as it should.
During the renovation works, our paramount objective was to carefully curate a house which should immediately feel like a home, restoring its original features while seamlessly infusing the essence of this particularly exotic and textured/ layered neighbourhood (which has lived to tell) into the property.
The geography of the area, never quite modular/ strict, infuses the interior with a warmth and depth that turns every room completely original with its own identity and character, as it does with the magical garden.
By erasing the blemishes and boundaries of the original (old) and the new features, we sought to create something that respected where it came from (and its engraved memories), but which also broke new ground (and perspective), crafting a modern living experience that exudes an elegant and comfortable ambiance — a balance of sorts.
In pursuit of our shared vision, we seized the amazing opportunity to collaborate with a cadre of extraordinary local artisans. These skilled craftsmen fashioned bespoke pieces using natural materials in a sustainable manner, creating tailor-made solutions that felt they had been there from the start (as they must have been in thought).
From the early design stages, the client had expressed the desire for the kitchen to be a prime space. It should provide obvious functionality and comfort, and it needed to be aesthetically pleasing as a daily usage space.
As such, our main goal was to provide these qualities and characteristics throughout our design, devising a framework that should not only be perceived as a space for cooking but also as an enjoyable environment where people could socialise (while waiting for something fresh out of the oven). As such, the materials within the kitchen have different degrees of presence. Some necessary functional elements such as upper cabinets, tall cabinets, and other appliances are painted in neutral tones, close to the colour of the walls.
These are meant to blend in, as is the case with the ceiling, leaving space for other natural materials to stand- out.
A clear distinction in the level of detail and texture we sought to develop throughout can be found in the kitchen’s countertops and low cabinets. The lower cabinets, designed with a simple and continuous grid of drawers, finished in oak with a brushed varnish, act in unison with the stone countertop. The chosen stone for the countertop and backsplash is granite, an original cut from Canada.
The natural patterns of the stone bring a strong dynamic and complexity to the space, acting as a conceptual footprint with the wave-shaped cuts found in the backsplash, which we like to think are a projection of the client’s voice soundwaves, or chit- chat over great food (where serendipity finds its own melody).
The interiors and exteriors underwent a complex transformative process, shedding the layers of cement patches and past repairs (and painful mistakes). In their place, we diligently constructed a robust and eco-friendly foundation, meticulously applying lime-based plaster, evoking the time-honoured techniques and expertise of that era.
This carefully detailed process, and research, allowed the walls to breathe, yielding a velvety matte finish that not only repels fungi but also captures and purifies airborne pollutants, elevating the quality of the interior air (something fresh, something fond).
The bespoke fireplace design was inspired by the natural and organic shapes found outdoors, in the beautiful garden. The relationship with the exterior was always key throughout the interior design, and so it felt natural and useful to bring inside those organic shapes to create a base that is made of white and red travertine. The hut is designed for the hot air to flow and is made of lacquered metal. The intention was to create a shape that came out of the wall, and which resembles the various ornamental details found throughout the house, where the different shapes protrude the wall and ceiling surfaces — something under, something over. What some call cross-references.
Intervention
Fit-Out
Status
Built, 2023
Design
João Gameiro, Alexandre Cisneiros
Photography
Francisco Nogueira
