Calçada do Lavra Lisbon, Portuguese Building Rehabilitation, Portugal Design

Calçada do Lavra : Lisbon Building Rehabilitation

Edifícios Portugueses : Portuguese Architecture design by Jorge Mealha, Portugal

post updated 7 September 2024

Location: Calçada do Lavra, Lisbon, Portugal

Design: Jorge Mealha

drawing : Jorge Mealha

24 Apr 2012

Calçada do Lavra Lisboa

drawings : Jorge Mealha

Traditional Lisbon Building Redevelopment

The Project concerns the rehabilitation of an old building, presumably built at the end of the XIX century, but that was only registered in 1906.

A cost-controlled operation, proposed by the owner, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, intended to rehab this building that was at risk of collapse.

Photos: João Morgado

photos : João Morgado

The project seeks to preserve as much as possible of the original elements of the building – floors and walls – proposing a reformulation of the existing subdivision, which was characterized by having too cramped spaces, resulting in the creation of eight apartments, two of which are duplexe.

Taking advantage of the need for the introduction of a lift, the entrance lobby is redesigned, suggesting a path that bypasses the volume – released from outer walls – required for the placing of this equipment The new design of the atrium that extends its original dimension, emphasizes the perspective on the existent ladder, which is maintained, allowing for a better natural lighting and offering a few scale games and cross perspectives.

photos : João Morgado

Whenever possible, the strategy was to preserve the existing floor – pine wood – assuming the amendments in the areas where due to its degradation it has been replaced The walls and ceilings are plastered and painted white Some elements are finished with stone or birth.

The shutters of the windows were restored and painted white, while maintaining the original Access doors to the apartments are also maintained, leaving marks of previous interventions and wood working as notes of color and texture on the stairs.

The external walls and elements are painted in white in their entirety in order to allow the design of its parts to he read by the incident light throughout the day.

photos : João Morgado

Calçada do Lavra Lisbon – Building Information

Architects: Jorge Mealha
Location: Calçada do Lavra, Lisbon, Portugal
Project Team: João Sítima (Site Works Leader), Rita Melancia (Project Leader), Teófilo Raposo, Gonçalo Silva, Pedro Hormigo, Ricardo Manaia
Completion: 2011
Photographs: Joao Morgado : Architectural Photography – external link

Calçada do Lavra Lisbon images / information from Jorge Mealha

Note – Lisboa is often translated as Lisbon in English

Location: Calçada do Lavra, Lisboa, Portugal, southwestern Europe