Second Skin by Daniel Santos Eng + Ark in Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Project: Second Skin
Architects: Daniel Santos Eng + Ark
Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal
Area: 14,208 sq ft
Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio

Second Skin by Daniel Santos Eng + Ark

Near the Mondego River, the building restored by danielmsantos architecture and engineering firm recalls the belle époque era in elegant Figueira da Foz, giving it a new bold and daring core.

Two centuries after its creation, this riverfront building now faces a new challenge. Originally a residence and later used by city institutions, it is being reimagined by architect Pedro Daniel Santos. His task was to preserve the character, beauty, history, and brand of this building while adapting it for new stories. A new story.

This reimagined concept uses a bold language that confronts the existing without erasing it, thus creating a seamless transition. The new building preserves its past while embracing the future, presenting a new reality and philosophy as a response to evolving social and urban paradigms.

Copper serves as the link between old and new, wrapping around the entire building. Sometimes adding a modern touch with bold angular forms, sometimes embracing its core essence, integrating as one unified whole that expands, envelops, and engages.

The prominent 'bubble' above the courtyard, as it is affectionately called, is the most visible element of this new intervention. It not only gives the building a fresh (and bold) facade, standing out and showcasing itself as the street's centerpiece, but also serves as a welcoming element for the building’s reception and main office.

The use of space has been rationalized and maximized to ensure greater accessibility, allowing people with disabilities easy access through the eastern courtyard, elevator, or stairs.
In addition to providing space for electric vehicle charging stations and a technical area/garage, the courtyard has become the main entrance to the building, offering a new way of entering.
The new connection between the building and the street has significantly improved: no more distorted attic, instead a striking new element—a new heart—has been created, breathing new life into the building and supporting its continuity.

To make efficient use of the second floor, the roof was slightly increased in peripheral areas (the ridge retained its original level), allowing for rational use of existing space, including the attic between roof windows. The relationship between old and new was carefully considered to give the building a modern look without interfering with its urban context.

Internally, the intervention adapted the building to the new concept of usage.

Despite its depth and with a renewed internal organization and newly created elements, the renovation aimed to be minimalist, softly blending modernity, comfort, and preservation of the timeless character of the building.

Original architectural features and construction techniques, sometimes ornate and sometimes handcrafted, now find a new stage. Impressive plaster ceilings throughout the first floor are preserved and restored, while marble patterns in corridors or partitions now serve as decorative walls in one of the bathrooms.

The palette of interior tones was carefully chosen to create an environment conducive to work and highlight the eclectic collection of art and furniture scattered throughout the building.

The building, already connected to light, now receives a completely new illumination through subtle features and impressive spans from the new intervention, along with material and color choices.

-Project description and images provided by Ivo Tavares Studio