Renovation of a 1990 existing house, located in Meleças, Sintra. The architectural challenge presented envolved gaining access to the attic.
An existing pantry was used to create a design for a metal staircase, that needed to solve a 3.20 meters difference between the ground floor and the first floor (attic). The client intended to gain an additional floor that would serve as his office and play area for his two kids, later on serving as their bedroom as they grow older. 4 transom windows from Velux where added to the roof, allowing for cross ventilation and entrance of an abundance of sunlight.
The ground floor needed to gain area, so to open up the space an existing corridor wall was demolished, allowing the living room to gain light and circulation. The real centerpiece became the open staircase to the attick, which not only allowed the client to solve an existing problem but also allowed entrance of sunlight to the existing north facing kitchen. When not in use, the staircase allows a sliding mechanism to hide it underneath the platform, allowing for easy use of the scarce circulation space in the ground floor.
Location: Meleças, Sintra, Portugal
Client: Nuno Jerónimo
Role: Lead Architect
