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.

© Pedra Silva Architects

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

Contact: press@pedrasilva.com | +351 217 156 210