This residential project brings together two fully restored historic buildings, with commercial space on the ground floor.
By Liberdade is the name of the new project signed by Contacto Atlântico in Lisbon. It is a former building located on Rua das Pretas, next to Avenida da Liberdade, which has been fully rehabilitated.
The property was expanded and altered in order to unite numbers 33–37 and 41–47. The first building (33–37) includes two one-bedroom apartments (T1) on the first floor and two studio apartments (T0) on the third floor. In numbers 41–47, the upper floors comprise four three-bedroom apartments (T3).
With a total construction area of 1,134.79 square metres and a footprint of 292.90 square metres, the project maintains the original character of the historic buildings while equipping them with all the necessary modern infrastructure.
This intervention “fully respected the existing volumetry, providing for the functional and structural modernisation of the buildings for residential and commercial use, with the creation of skylights, modernisation of infrastructure, installation of elevators and replacement of construction elements that were in poor condition,” explains Contacto Atlântico. On the façades, “the ground-floor openings were reinstated in accordance with the historic layout. The doors at the extremities were also restored, and window frames and glazing were updated in line with safety and durability criteria.”
The studio “sought to preserve the main architectural elements, with particular emphasis on the light-blue Viúva Lamego tile cladding on the 33–37 building, the redesign of openings and balconies. The stone façades, stone masonry walls and the two stair cores were maintained. In addition, the identity of the ensemble and its relationship with the street and the surrounding public space were reinforced.”
At ground-floor level, the frontages became a continuous commercial space, improving the connection to the pavement and clarifying access points, while prioritising open-plan areas. On the upper floors, the entrances remain independent, and the organisation of the dwellings maintains one unit per floor.
Inside the building, “the intervention was limited to non-structural partitions in order to optimise circulation and use. Staircases and entrance halls were preserved due to their architectural value. In addition, an elevator was added to ensure accessibility. The landscaped roof and the materials applied enhance the quality and comfort of the spaces, while respecting the identity of the city’s urban fabric,” the statement further notes.
André Caiado, founder of Contacto Atlântico, states that “this is yet another project that Contacto Atlântico is proud to sign, contributing to the recovery of the city by restoring its beauty and historical identity. By Liberdade is another example of how urban rehabilitation can greatly benefit our capital.”