The Project is located in the heart of Lisbon, in a close proximity to the Carmo Monastery which was destroyed during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and remains one of the biggest tourist attractions in the neighbourhood.
Project Name: CARMO
Studio Name: KEMA Studio
The pre-existing building, with the plot area of only 56m2, has its origins in XIX century, and throughout the time, and unlike its neighbours, didn´t undergo any changes or extensions. As a result, it was significantly minor than the surrounding buildings, had visible signs of degradation and nonfunctional spatial division for modern use.
To enhance the building’s character, we added a duplex apartment with habitable attic overlooking the city and the Carmo Monastery.
It was crucial for us to revive the building’s historical qualities by assuming the rhythm of the windows and decorative elements and replicating them in the added floors. The facade will be covered with the traditional portuguese glazed tiles in order to bring more value to the surroundings and restore its previous glamour.
The main design principle was to improve the layout by moving the staircase and disconnect it from the main facade, to gain more usable space and let in more daylight into the apartments. Although the staircase was dislocated to the darkest corner of the building, it wasn’t deprived of natural light thanks to the roof skylight and perforated metal sheet used as a material for the steps.
The staircase is not the only modern element contained within the historical walls. The apartments fall into T2, T1 and T0 typologies, with comfortable rooms, minimalist bathrooms, spacious living rooms with subtle kitchenettes.
Each apartment is marked with a unique coloured niche that appears in social zones.
It is an modern project, respecting the time and history and preserving fundamental elements of the building`s origin.
KEMA studio
KEMA studio is a collaboration of two architects.
After years of experience gained in portuguese architectural offices, there emerged an idea to create their very own studio, based on innovation and creativity, and giving special attention to detail.
The studio began its practice in 2015 with renovations of “unwanted”, rejected properties, where discovery of their true potential and their return to existence could be achieved only by means of a profound study.
Our principle is to revive the spirit of reminiscence of each place with contemporary techniques and elements. In our belief, there is always a story to be discovered and told through a thorough intervention.
Though our main focus is renovation, we also develop new construction projects of various scales and functions.
BIO
Members of Association of Portuguese Architects (OA) since 2015 and with 10 years of professional experience in the field, from preliminary projects and licensing projects to execution projects of various types of buildings, they worked in CIDARQ Arquitectura Engenharia Construções (2010), CVDB Arquitectos Associados (2011-2013) and Domus Concept Arquitectura e Construção (2013-2020).
They completed the course of “Sustainable Community Development”, coordinated by Uppsala University, organized by “The Baltic University Programme”, which conveys a comprehensive understanding of sustainable community development and urban planning, in perspective of environmental, social and economic growth.
Distinguished in following projects, in collaboration with CVDB Arquitectos Associados – Cristina Veríssimo e Diogo Burnay: 1º Prize in Private Competition for Mira Rio College in Telheiras (2012); 1º Prize in Public Competition for a Megalithic Museum in Mora (2013); 2º Prize in Private Competition of Quinta e Adega do Pinhal da Torre (2013).
In collaboration with Domus Concept, in 2019, won the 1º Prize in Public Competition of Affordable Housing Programme of Lisbon City Hall for Rua Gomes Freire, and a Honorable Mention in Prémio Nacional de Reabilitação Urbana in category of the Best Solution Energetic Efficiency with Santa Marta 22 project.
Finalists in International Biennial of Interior Design INAW2010 “Dialogue in space” in Cracow, Poland, in 2010.
