Rethinking domestic space

Seassessing Porto’s Ilha

The main quality of the Ilhas is its central space. It works as a street, as a patio, as a square and as an extension of the house. It is a multifunctional place full of tradition and daily used by the inhabitants. Ilhas function with a large central space that becomes an extension of each living unit blurring the border between private and common space. The addition of rood to the central courtyard creates a spatial condition suitable for both recreation and work, without compromising the inhabitants’ access to outdoor space. Light comes into the interior through the roof sky windows and the patios, making the Ilha a place where life can take place.

 Project team: Alexandre Pavlidis, Marcelo Rovira Torres, Enrique Melús

2016