Fala Atelier Converts an Old Garage into a House in Lisbon, Portugal.

This renovation project by Fala Atelier started with an unconventional request from an open minded couple within a very tight budget – to convert a windowless 200sqm garage in Lisbon into a house. Sure – why not?

The proposed intervention intends to allow a crystal clear experience of the existing structure, with real emphasis on it’s robustness and strength. While the garage used to be untidy and grey, the new house appears clean and white – it’s materiality is flat, and it’s light quality is abstract.

Two generous bathrooms were included behind a curved wall, where a broken corner existed before. The walls and the ceilings were painted in white, the entire floor was covered in a continuous polished concrete surface, while the existing skylights were re-positioned to suit the new layout. Apart from this work, no other changes were necessary.

Carefully placed elements organise the living areas: a marble kitchen, colourful curtains and potted plants. Along with the furniture, these free standing elements carry the flexible identity of the house, hinting at domesticity while punctuating the abstract volume with colour. Tick!

[Images courtesy of Fala Atelier. Photography by Fernando Guerra | FG+SG.]