Apartment in Rua de Aveiro

Coimbra 2013

Architects

João Branco

Collaborators

Gerson Rei

Photography

© do mal o menos

3 PIECES OF FURNITURE CREATE A HOME

The aim was to convert a former two floor office in a rental apartment. The proposal, which develops at the lower level, focuses on reconverting a small area, originally subdivided and dark, to accommodate the social areas of the house.

The intervention proposes to let the light flow, converting it into a diaphanous space and thus increasing the feeling of spaciousness. The main decision is not to build, intervening by dispensing with traditional construction work, in favor of a dry approach, much simpler, without creating new walls or divisions.

To that, the plant is emptied, introducing in the diaphanous space 3 wooden pieces of furniture that will organize the space. Firstly, a box contains wet areas: kitchen and bathroom. A mobile with a bookcase and table gives form to the entrance and to a small office under the stairs. Finally, movable lower furniture separates the living and eating areas.

With only these three pieces, shape is given to the spaces of the house, always visually connected to maintain unity and flow of southern light.

This work, closer to carpentry than building construction, focuses on the details and encounters. Reducing to a minimum the elements, fittings, switches, etc. The objects are designed to provide the greatest possible sobriety, resulting in a high degree of abstraction and giving the house enhanced spatial clarity.