Project: Post Office House
Architecture: Cidade Branco Arquitectos
Lead Architects: Mariana Cidade, Ricardo Branco
Construction Accompaniment: Teresa Penetra
Construction: Vitor Manuel Santos Cruz
Engineering: Catariina Ferreira
Location: Portugal
Area: 240 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: David Pereira
Post Office House by Cidade Branco Arquitectos is the result of a thoughtful rehabilitation of a nineteenth-century building that once served as the town’s post office in Luso, northern Portugal. Originally used for postal services and as living quarters for the local director of CTT, the building featured a timber frame and exquisite carpentry details. An air gap protected it from humidity, helping preserve its original wooden elements.
Respecting History and Context
The building displays a simple, traditional façade that marks the main axis of the village. It creates symmetry between the Parish Council and the Tourist Office. To honor the building’s historical entrance and its neighboring public structures, the design team retained the original style. They even designed a new gate to look as though it had always been part of the village.
Subtle Exterior Enhancements
The exterior changes remain minimal. The overall image of the building stays the same, though the frames have been simplified. This update increases the glass area and floods the interior with natural light, giving the building a refreshed look without losing its character.
An Innovative Interior Void
Inside, one single design gesture transforms the space: a central void. This double-height area connects the two floors and creates a new spatial experience. The void highlights the original wooden trusses that support the roof, which were hidden behind a suspended ceiling that has now been removed. This central opening also creates a “chimney effect” that enhances natural ventilation, cooling, and heating, reducing the need for mechanical systems.
Functional Layout and Restored Details
On the ground floor, the void organizes a wide space that includes the living room, reading room, dining room, and kitchen. An accessible bedroom also opens into this area. On the first floor, the void divides the space symmetrically into two suites, with an open office area that connects to the double-height central space. In both suites, hidden doors in the closets conceal the bathroom entrances, creating a seamless design.
The restoration work focused on preserving and restoring the original woodwork, including the skirting boards, shutters, and stair railings. The design uses a natural wooden tone combined with white-linen colored walls. To introduce contrast and brightness, the kitchen features dark green tiles, and the bathrooms and kitchen island worktop showcase “Estremoz” marble.
In essence, Post Office House highlights and enhances the beauty that the building already had, respecting its history while updating it for modern living.
