Project: House in Quinta do Lago

Type of project: Prior communication

Date: 2016 – 2017

Phase: Completed

Description: The project to extend and make alterations in a villa located in Quinta do Lago began from the need to adapt a detached house designed in 1986 by a building surveyor to the new owners’ requirements – a family consisting of three generations, including children.

As it was part of an area covered by a masterplan, it was decided to submit a prior communication rather than a planning application. The intervention was surgical and consisted mainly of improving the conditions of accessibility and fluidity of the spaces, in a house that contained steps, uneven and superfluous barriers, but also an inaccessible terrace.

A floor slab about 50 cm high was demolished. It created an unnecessary change in level between the entrance hall, the living room and a compartment which was originally the garage and has now been converted into the children’s room. A new bathroom was added and an existing one was transformed into an en suite bathroom with a new bedroom.

Externally, a new direct route was introduced with the stair landing, making the terrace with great views finally accessible. The walls limiting the terrace use to the west were also demolished, increasing the terrace area by about 20m2. To maintain the urban integration of the house, the original construction techniques and materials were used in the proposal.