Building in a historic context with consolidated and layered characters, without disregarding a distinctive design language, has not been an insignificant challenge for a long time. Especially when intervening in a lot with strong planivolumetric constraints, as in the case of the house in Rua São Francisco De Borja by the Portuguese studio Bak Gordon Arquitectos: a dwelling located in a long, narrow lot and set in the densely built-up neighbourhood of Lapa, in Lisbon.
The house is settled in an area measuring approximately 7 x 26 metres, previously occupied by a small industrial pavilion – now removed – and is "squeezed" between two adjacent buildings, so that the only interface with the neighbourhood is through the short sides: the main entrance front on the north-west side and the rear on the south-east side.
![](/content/dam/domusweb/it/architecture/gallery/2023/07/25/una-casa-incastonata-tra-le-case-a-lisbona/domus-sfborja-02.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
The building develops according to the topographical conformation and elongated layout of the site, and consists of a sequence of two volumes articulated around a central courtyard and connected by a covered loggia. The main building has three floors above ground and a basement; the secondary building has two levels, following the natural slope of the land.
The erosion of the built mass facing the street creates a discreet but effective dialogue between the dwelling and the surrounding neighbourhood, allowing the soul of the house to seep through visual filters between exterior and interior: the perforated wooden screen enclosing the access area and the garage on the ground floor; the large dining room window on the first floor; the small garden/flower box on the second floor, carving out the facade and integrating the living room.
![](/content/dam/domusweb/it/architecture/gallery/2023/07/25/una-casa-incastonata-tra-le-case-a-lisbona/domus-sfborja-04.jpg.foto.rmedium.jpg)
Rough and natural materials, such as wood and exposed concrete in the elevations and interior finishes, give the spaces a bare and essential character and create a lively contrast with the bright green, hand-made glazed tile cladding of the main front and the interior loggia, on which the dynamic reflections of urban and domestic life reverberate and fade.
- Project leader:
- Ricardo Bak Gordon
- Architectural coordination:
- Nuno Costa
- Project team:
- Daniela Cunha, Maria Passos, Pedro Saraiva, Tânia Correia
- Contractor:
- 2GM - Construções Civis, S.A.
- Supervision and project management:
- GreenTool - Gestão de Projectos e Investimentos, Lda
- Consultants:
- Profico (Foundations and Structure); ATPI (Electrics, Telecommunications, Hydraulics, Gas Installations); Natural Works (Mechanics, Thermic, Acoustics); F&C (Landscape architecture)