Cutouts and Heightened Ceilings Revive a Portuguese Apartment

This renovated apartment in Lisbon counteracts an outdated 19th-century floor plan with simple, but clever interventions.
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Approaching their newest project, Lisbon-based firm Aurora Arquitectos, considered one question: how do you counteract the architectural downsides of a gaioleiro building? 

In Portuguese, gaioleiro translates to "bird cage." A response to a rapidly growing population, this mid 19th-century building plan lacked adequate space and ventilation. Aurora Arquitectos solved this dated layout problem by "opening windows between spaces, promoting cross-visions, and letting the light in," says the firm.   

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The architects stripped away layers of material in the walls and floors of the apartment to reveal the original bones of the building. Interested in maintaining aspects of the old floor plan that worked, they chose to preserve the long narrow hallway, but added ceiling height, expanded the kitchen, and reoriented the rooms around window views. Thanks to these interventions, the apartment now feels comfortable and contemporary.  

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Shop the Look
Lzf Lamps Swirl Pendant
Lzf Lamps Swirl Pendant
The LZF Swirl Pendant has a nice flow to it, featuring wavy bands of wood veneer that fold in to one another for a dynamic piece of ambient light. The soft shape is interesting from every angle, skillfully concealing the light source with a fully enveloped design.
Sossego Tereza Chair
Sossego Tereza Chair
There’s something about Tereza. Full of spunk, verve, and brazen determination. She’s a simple modern beauty with just a hint of surprise.
Bend Goods Cafe Table
Bend Goods Cafe Table
The Café Table by Bend Goods takes the classic Parisian café table design concept to a modern mid-century platform for home and venue dining spaces. A versatile café table, the furnishing carries a solid round table top, supported by a cross-section base.
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