Uneven House in Porto: Project 090 by Fala Atelier.

Fala Atelier has transformed the ground floor of a shop and its basement into a quirky apartment filled with unexpected elements. The 180 square metre interior is described by architects as “a stubborn composition of doors and openings adorned by a few grandiloquent details of marble and mirrors”. The scheme injects colour and interesting shape into a cheerless 1960’s housing block, bringing new life to its walls.

An extension to the back of the block has been demolished to create a rear courtyard with a small circular garden. The interesting relationship between rectangular and circular forms begins outside, before continuing to weave its way throughout the entire scheme, forming the architectural language of the project. A circular mirrored oculus sits at the junction of two intersecting walls, radiating a strangeness that is as beautiful as it is intriguing. A large red circular plate sits in place of a handrail on the staircase, while a small marble circular doorknob contrasts with the conventional rectilinear door. This ongoing subtle tension creates a series of visually stimulating spaces within a simple, refined apartment.

Related: Project 057: House in Fontaínhas, Porto by Fala Atelier.

“Both levels are conceived as the main room spanning between the two façades,” explain the architects. “The longitudinal spaces are defined by a straight white wall on one side, and a composite wall on the opposite (comprising three massive plywood doors to the secondary programs). While the walls play their own formal game, the position of the doors and the finishes remain the same on both levels”.

The inner logic also dictates the façade on the garden side, which acts as if the house was only one very tall level. “In fact, both levels have floor to ceiling glass openings towards the outside, thanks to a new staircase dug in front of the garden,” said the architects.

Once inside, spaces unfold with a softness created by gently sloping walls. A baby pink hue coats the ceiling, while delicious monochromatic marble lines the floors and occasionally, the walls. Oversized spherical openings direct light deep into the kitchen, creating dreamy reflections across the shining floors. Timber elements bring an earthy voice to the collection of polished materials creating balanced and inviting living spaces.

See more projects by Fala Atelier on Yellowtrace.

[Images courtesy of Fala Atelier. Photography by Ricardo Loureiro.]