Patio Luso by Saraiva + Associados

Located in the heart of the city of Oporto, in the Plaza Carlos Alberto, the Patio Luso – Urban Rehabilitation Project, consists of two buildings to be used as collective housing, commerce and services, with a space in the yard common. The rehabilitation program includes a total of eight buildings and start from a landmark building that housed the old “Cafe Luso, a landmark of the city, having served, among other memories, like the general campaign headquarters Humberto Delgado for the Presidential Election 1958.

The building consists of 23 homes, is distinguished by the aesthetic innovation of the interior facade, with windows on all its sides, giving a high transparency and brightness. Aiming at the rehabilitation and recovery of this set of buildings, the proposed solution sought to maintain the historical and heritage component, combining the architectural and heritage with a contemporary functional design, making it compatible with attractive solutions for young people.

Its central courtyard seems to be the unifying element of the whole, acting as a principal element of housing. Inside the department sought to create open spaces and fluid, living rooms, led to the courtyard, appear to function as a central point of the building, all the inhabitants, building internal relationships and familiarity.