Hostel in Parede by Aurora Arquitectos
We were asked to consider the project as having a high level of flexibility in terms of future use. A Hostel at first, capable of becoming a single-family house with little changes.
Aurora Arquitectos
About Aurora Arquitectos
Founded in 2010 by Sofia Couto and Sérgio Antunes, the studio Aurora Arquitectos was the natural consequence of the work developed in the previous years. The journey began during the academic period, growing stronger with the professional experience with the Kaputt! collective.
Currently with a team broadened to other elements, the studio works on projects of a variety of scales, from small houses to multi-family residential buildings, as well as cultural facilities. Recently, the most developed theme is urban regeneration, which is the focus of the studio’s specialisation and research.
In its approach, it is particularly important the reaction to the site, what to do with the existing construction’s space and elements (sometimes, centuries old). The challenge is, therefore, to interpret, scrutinize, copy, distort and even ironize those raw materials, giving them back to the site in a new and unexpecting way.
Each case is overseen in an attentive and custom way, as to look for a distinct solution, that makes each project a singular experience. Considering the unravelled limitations (legal, budget, design brief or construction site constraints), the efforts go into unfolding the project’s key moments, the same moments that result into the built space, providing meaning to all the rest.
Sérgio Antunes (Lisbon, 1977) Architect by the Lusíada University in Lisbon and by the Universitá della Svizzera Italiana- Accademia di Architettura, Mendrizio (2003). Worked in Helena Botelho’s studio between 2001 and 2004. Was one of the founders of the collective Kaputt! in 2003, taking part and coordinating several projects including architecture, product design, graphic design and installation. In 2010, together with Luca Martinucci, founds the colective 18:25 Empreiteiros Digitais, a laboratory dedicated to architectural imagery. Still in 2010 founds Aurora Arquitectos together with Sofia Couto. He has been the spokesman of these organizations, representing them in conferences, seminars and workshops. His works have been published and part of several national and international exhibitions and publications.
Sofia Reis Couto (Porto, 1980) Architect by the Lusíada University in Lisbon. Worked in Helena Botelho’s studio between 2001 and 2004. Was one of the founders of the collective Kaputt! in 2003, taking part and coordinating several projects including architecture, product design, graphic design and installation. In 2010 founds Aurora Arquitectos together with Sérgio Antunes. She has been the spokesman of these organizations, representing them in conferences, seminars and workshops. Her works have been published and part of several national and international exhibitions and publications.
LOCATION: Lisbon, Portugal
LEARN MORE: aurora.com.pt
Taipas Apartment Building by Aurora Arquitectos
The Taipas Apartment Building is located in one of the hills that surrounds Avenida da Liberdade, very close to Miradouro São Pedro de Alcântara.
Pombalino Apartments by Aurora Arquitectos
An apartment used as a leather tannerie workshop for a long time. This use aggressiveness destroyed its character and the features of the pombalino architectonic imaginary were lost.
Apartment Building in Lisbon by Aurora Arquitectos
This building with two apartments is located in Costa do Castelo, a street that surrounds the hill and where its buildings hide the view towards the city of Lisbon.
Bartolomeu Dias House by Aurora Arquitectos
This is an upstream project in a time when the city has been gradually emptied from its inhabitants under the pressure of tourism and real estate speculation.
Prazeres Apartment Building Reconstruction in Lisbon
The challenge would then be to combine the overall design of the apartments simultaneously with the desire to have a garden and a view in his home. The private connection between the two floors is made by elevator, while the stairs are shared with the occupants of the middle floors.
Apartment Estrela / Aurora Arquitectos
The intervention therefore had more to do with a redefinition of its programme, and ultimately the increase of appropriation possibilities of space by the client.