Town House by Robert Gurney Architect

The property presented here, was built over a century ago and is part of a continuous network of buildings located in a historic district. Was completely renovated, maintaining the traditional facade of limestone, with a slight modification. The composition of the stone has been tampered with, on the ground floor of the facade, to create a separate entrance and a commercial facade. The rear facade, which is facing an alley, has been completely redesigned to provide more light into the building.

The building, approximately 6 m wide and 30 long, had been used previously as a commercial space on three floors. The interior spaces were typically dark with a height of 2, 7 meters, as a result of a previous renovation. In this new intervention are preserved most of the existing floor joists, using the original structural system, so as to ensure the smooth conduct of the historic facade.

It eliminates the existing partition by extending the interior space. To break the monotony of the flats on the third floor is pierced with a width of 3.7 m, creating a double height. On it is placed a skylight that illuminates the place. This same strategy is used in the stairwell that end in an outdoor terrace, offering the user space overlooking the rooftops.

The brick walls are painted white and blue. To connect the spaces of the third level, is placed a steel bridge in the new opening. The steel and glass elements make the space and unify the overall design. The result is a modern space within a typology of city housing, traditional.