In Porto, one of Portugal’s most beautiful cities, the former seat of the civil court has been given new life thanks to the MASSLAB studio. Instead of demolishing and building from scratch, the architects decided to adapt an existing historical building. The result of the studio’s efforts is Vila Catarina Apartments. This 16-apartment building combines elements of the past with a modern approach to the design of residential spaces.
Vila Catarina Apartments – new function in a historic building
The building at 1299 Rua de Santa Catarina served an institutional function for many years. Today it operates as the Vila Catarina Apartments aparthotel, and its transformation has not been limited to a simple change of function. MASSLAB architects have consciously left traces of history, giving them a new context and allowing them to form a unity with the newly designed residential space.
Inspiration and interior layout
The design of the townhouse was based on inspiration from Portuguese bourgeois houses from the early 20th century. In this type of building, spaces developed sequentially, without traditional corridors. MASSLAB recreated this principle, giving communication an atmospheric rather than directional character. Each flat was individually designed and given vaults of varying heights, proportions and curvature, which organise the space and give it a unique rhythm.
The transformation of the building’s façade
Great importance was placed on the restoration of the building’s facades. The historic front façade was preserved and restored. The stone cladding and ceramic tiles were restored, restoring the original representative character of the early 20th century building. In contrast, the rear façade, previously covered by technical equipment and extensions, was given a new form with the introduction of a geometric layer referred to as a ‘second skin’. It has structured the composition and introduced balconies that relate to the interior layout.
Vila Catarina Apartments – adaptation instead of demolition
MASSLAB’s realisation is part of the current of critical adaptation, which treats existing buildings as material to be reread and reinterpreted. The project shows that contemporary housing does not have to be created solely on new plots of land and at the expense of demolition. It also points to the potential of existing buildings which, through careful transformation, can respond to the current needs of the city and its inhabitants.
Project name: Vila Catarina Apartments
Architectural practice: Masslab
Location: Porto, Portugal
Year of completion: 2024
Total area: 2650 sq m.
Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio
Also read: Architecture | Townhouse | Metamorphosis | Renovation | Interiors | Portugal
