BARREIRO

TOWN

HOUSE

  PROJECT TITLE
  BARREIRO TOWN HOUSE

  YEAR
  2022

  LOCATION
  LISBON, PORTUGAL

  TYPOLOGY
  TERRACE HOUSE

  MATERIALS
  CLAY PLASTER, NATURAL STONE, WOOD, CERAMIC

  SIZE
  246 M2

  DESIGN PARTNER
  FRAMA PROJECTS

  CLIENT
  UNDISCLOSED

A worn-down townhouse next to the Tagus River in Lisbon had been abandoned for decades, left in a derelict state. Engel Architects, in collaboration with FRAMA projects, orchestrated a renovation that transformed the house into a contemporary and poetic series of spaces crafted from local materials, providing a living environment for an artist and their partner.

The design respects and amplifies the existing character of the house, enhancing traditional features while introducing fresh interpretations. The facades were subtly modified, with a patio and balcony sculpted from local sandstone. Inside, the spaces are minimally yet precisely reconfigured to retain simplicity and intention.

A small balcony with a white railing attached to a beige building. The balcony has a white chair and a small table. There are stairs leading up to the balcony on the left, and two large windows nearby. The interior appears modern with minimal decor.

Minimalist courtyard with stone stairway, potted plants, and terracotta pots under natural sunlight.

Minimalist interior with natural tones, featuring a potted plant, open doorways, a wooden bench, and slippers on a woven rug.

Minimalist interior with neutral tones, featuring an arched alcove bench with pillows, stone flooring, and simple wooden furniture.

Minimalist living room with beige sofas, a small white coffee table, and a wooden floor, illuminated by natural light from large windows.

Floor plan of a house in Barreiro, Portugal featuring living area, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and deck layout.

An abandoned townhouse with untapped charm and original character finds new life in Lisbon’s Barreiro district, where Engel Architects and FRAMA projects have transformed it into a poetic, modern home that celebrates both heritage and contemporary living.

The team were approached by a client who had purchased an abandoned townhouse in Barreiro, an emerging area across the Tagus River in Lisbon. The house had solid structural “bones” and charming original features but was in an advanced state of disrepair. Our goal was to preserve the character of the old house while reconfiguring it with a practical floor plan and integrating essential modern amenities whilst adding poetry and life back into the dwelling.

Working alongside local engineers, we reinforced the walls and implemented earthquake-proofing measures. The new design created a contemporary home suited to the artist client and their partner’s lifestyle. Large windows were added to open up the dark interiors, particularly to the back patio, which was transformed with a new balcony extending from the kitchen and overlooking the patio below. A sculptural staircase links this ground-floor patio with a terrace crafted from local natural stone and supported by a slender pillar, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection that embraces both the shade and sun of the Portuguese climate.

Illustration of a house with a silhouette of a table and two chairs on a patio. Barreiro, Portugal.

Close-up of a film staircase. Barreiro, Portugal.

Minimalist dining area with wooden floors and furniture, beige walls, open shelving, and natural light.

Modern wall-mounted F-cabinets in a minimalist room with a wooden bookcase, a small stool, and a lit wall sconce.

Minimalist kitchen with beige cabinets, countertop, and a built-in oven. A stove with a sleek hood is present, along with a tile backsplash and a decorative pitcher on the hood. Two clear glass bottles and a bowl are on the counter, with a faucet on the wall.

Minimalist room with exposed wooden beams, stone floor, and a built-in bench. Books are neatly arranged on shelves near the wall, while a small wooden stool and a rustic jug on the bench add to the decor.

Minimalist bedroom with wooden floor, low wooden bed, beige bedding, a small wooden stool, and an open door to a bathroom.

Architectural cross-section of a two-story building showing interior layout, including stairs, windows, and doors. Barreiro, Portugal.

The home features a modern, bespoke kitchen and en-suite bathroom, both designed with local natural materials to align with the project’s authentic, site-sensitive approach and ecological awareness. Interior spaces are arranged in a flowing, sequential manner, often separated only by a noren-curtain. Original elements, like an old arch and pillar in the living room, were carefully preserved, grounding the home’s contemporary aesthetic in its historical context. A small library was established in the darkest part of the house offering a reflective and meditative space. The bedroom and living room situated on the first floor offer a serene and minimal environment whilst the living spaces on the ground floor can accommodate changing use, guests staying over or creative projects unfolding.

The project was planned completely with all furnishings and lighting considered and designed to create a holistic and unique project with a strong architectural identity.