DUME

This project involves the rehabilitation of two existing houses located within a consolidated urban area of the city of Braga, proposing their conversion into six one-bedroom apartments (T1). The intervention is grounded in the recognition of the original buildings’ value and their relationship with the surrounding context, aiming to update the ensemble to contemporary standards of comfort, functionality and efficiency, without compromising its architectural identity.

The proposal is based on a careful approach to requalification, in which the existing architecture is reinterpreted through a new residential programme. Spatial organisation was designed to optimise interior areas, promoting balanced living environments with adequate natural light and ventilation — essential elements for the quality of urban living.

As in other rehabilitation projects, the main challenge lies in establishing a continuous dialogue between the existing structure and new interventions. The definition of layouts, the careful selection of materials and the introduction of new architectural elements result from a rigorous and attentive process, seeking to enhance the character of the original houses while simultaneously providing them with a contemporary, coherent architectural reading.

Interventions on the façades are restrained and precise, reinforcing the relationship with the public space and contributing to the enhancement of the urban frontage in which the buildings are set. The result is a small-scale project with a meaningful impact on the qualification of the urban fabric, promoting a new way of living that is more efficient, functional and fully integrated into the city of Braga.