D. Manuel II

Typological and tectonic evolution

The property integrates the urban and architectural transformation managed by Francisco Almada and Mendonça that occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. Adjoining the Nacional Museum of Soares dos Reis, formerly the old Palace of Carrancas, the existing building joins two plots in Porto leading to the creation of a building with an exceptional facade on the north elevation. The intervention validates the existing windows on the front and rear elevations with minimum housing units, with central vertical accesses and with the aggregated sanitary infrastructure. The various levels between the public space and the courtyard create alternative accesses to the building with different hierarchies.

The apartments are spread along four equal floors, with exceptions on the lower and upper floors, where the tilted profile of the roof provides major spatial and functional versatility. The described junction allows the separation of the accesses and the creation of a passage of vehicles for the public place that then constitutes the main elevation in the access to the elevator and the stairs. Two types of use and approach to the property are created which are important for the architectural narrative. The typology has devices of flexibility and versatility, themes clearly desired in contemporary times. Between the conservation of urban identity and the affixing and minimal actions on stairs and kitchens, among others, time is assumed in the evolution of the typological and tectonic component.