Pinto Bessa Apartaments

Oporto, Portugal

Hospitality

1.920 m²

2022

Located in Oporto’s Bonfim district, this project transforms an existing residential building into a 27-unit hotel-apartment, balancing reconstruction and expansion within a consolidated urban frontage. The intervention is grounded in a clear premise: preserve the elements that define the street’s architectural identity while reworking the interior structure to meet contemporary standards of comfort, safety, and environmental performance.

The existing building presented structural limitations and a fragmented interior that made adaptation unviable. The proposal, therefore, retains and rehabilitates the main street façade, preserving its granite base and ceramic expression, while reconstructing the remaining volume. Three additional floors are introduced, including a recessed upper level, carefully calibrated to respect the dominant cornice line and the proportional rhythm of the street.

The new mass negotiates the transition between taller buildings to the west and lower volumes to the east, reinforcing continuity rather than contrast. On the main elevation, the original façade is restored with improved thermal performance and renewed ceramic tiling, maintaining its material identity. The new upper levels adopt bush-hammered concrete as a structural and expressive material, establishing a dialogue with the stone base while clearly distinguishing old and new. The recessed top floor is clad in a folded metal sheet, referencing traditional Oporto roof additions without replicating them.

A fundamental component of the proposal is the reconfiguration of the courtyard. All secondary constructions are removed, reducing impermeabilised surfaces and creating a permeable landscaped area of over 400 m². This intervention improves environmental performance while introducing a shared outdoor space that enhances light and ventilation across the building.

Internally, the project is organised in three layers: a ground floor that connects directly with the city through a lobby, reception, and café; a lower level accommodating technical spaces and two units with direct access to the garden; and upper floors dedicated to accommodation. The units are designed as compact apartments with kitchenette facilities, supporting short- to mid-term stays.

The project frames reconstruction as a precise urban operation. By retaining the street façade, recalibrating the volume, and improving environmental performance, it reinforces the character of Rua Pinto Bessa while introducing a programme that activates and supports everyday urban life.