The New 12

The New 12

Inspired by the city and neighbourhood of Campo de Ourique, the new 12 | Travessa de Cima dos Quartéis. A project in Lisbon that respects the history and tradition of the capital and embraces the quality of contemporary architecture and construction, using modern techniques and guaranteed and certified materials.

In a unique area in Campo de Ourique, composed of diverse realities in dialogue, the new 12 | Travessa de Cima dos Quartéis integrates a small set of houses with interior patios. In the modest original design dating from the beginning of the 20th century, as a support building for the barracks, the interior organization was simple, with a direct entrance to the living room, two adjacent bedrooms and a kitchen with access to the outside patio, where the sanitary installation was later placed.

In order to increase the existing housing areas, such as the Living Room and the Rooms, the original 42 m2 grew to 53.40 m2, without any addition to the original volume or increase in occupancy in the Patio. Through interior excavation and sinking of 1.20 m at the initial pavement level and through the construction of a mezzanine at half height, it was possible to create 3 half-floors, which separate and organize the various interior divisions. At the entrance level, there is now a distribution atrium that organizes the various divisions. The kitchen is also located at this level, occupying the annexe previously destined for the sanitary installation and giving access to the exterior patio with a green area and space for a technical area, destined to hide the water heating, air conditioning and laundry equipment. From the atrium, access is also made to the Suite in the mezzanine.

Modular living room and multipurpose room. On the lower floor, accessible from the stairs leading out of the atrium, is the Common Room with 13.40 m2, a Sanitary Facility with 2.60 m2 and a Multipurpose Room with 7.30 m2. This lower area also covers the possibility of transforming the house into T1. The separation between the Room and the Multipurpose Room was designed with a wall of folding panels, that collect until they fit into the face of the wall, allowing the junction of the spaces, being able to function as a closed Room, Dining Room or Office in the semi-open regime, or as an addition of 7.30 m2 to the area of the room, making a total of 20.70 m2. With the distance of the mezzanine from the interior walls, this floor takes advantage of the original windows for lighting and natural ventilation of the space, also ensuring cross ventilation with the installation of a new large span, open on the outside patio and garden area.

Reinvented suite. From the atrium, through the stairs, there is also access to the Suite, located on the mezzanine floor. With 10.75 m2, the Suite is located next to the roof, taking advantage of the attic area and ensuring its natural lighting and ventilation through a roof window and two interior windows, at each end of the room, aligned with the respective exterior windows, allowing cross ventilation of the space. With a 1.60 m wardrobe, the Suite also contains a small private bathroom installation, inspired by aeronautical solutions, to offer a washbasin, toilet and shower in a limited and comfortably functional space.