The intervention in the Palma Apartments main premise was the total restructuring of the existing space to create a new proposal for a more real, more fluid and, above all, more livable space for our clients. The apartment was based on a common typology of the 80’s, where the spatial arrangement was based on partitioning the space. The original entrance opened into an entrance hall, this hall was followed by separate distribution areas, for social, intimate and service. From this central distribution space, the various domestic activities were divided separately.
The proposal involves the fusion of some of these different areas, in order to create a new domestic experience that is natural, more spontaneous and less formal. A large social central space was created where everything happens. With this principle, the house was opened from one end (the kitchen) to the other (the lounge) in a large space that joins the service space with the social space and the entrance area of the apartment. To reinforce the existence of this common space, the fireplace is placed strategically as a unifying core of the living space, visually perceptible throughout this new open space. In contrast to this spatial extent is a dynamic set of sliding that are hidden and when closed, adjust the public and private domains of activities according to the clients needs. Through the existence of these sliding walls, support is provided to the usual daily household mutations of the experiences of the contemporary user. In addition, the entire area of the bedrooms have a relatively conventional segmentation that protects domestic intimacy from the rest of its inhabitants.
The proposed Palma Apartment conveys experiential spatial fluidity and spontaneity that are important for the inhabitant of today. Thus, domestic activities merge with leisurely living in a continuous form exempt of social ties.
Project Information
Architects: Pedra Silva Architects – www.pedrasilva.com
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Project area: 160m2
Project year: 2011
Project Coordination: Luis Pedra Silva
Team: Hugo Ramos, Rita Pais, Jette Fyhn, Dina Castro, André Góis Fernandes, Ana Lúcia da Cruz, Ricardo Sousa, Bruno Almeida
Photographs: João Morgado - www.photo.joaomorgado.com