Home of an Artist and Musician in Lisbon

A 340-square-meter house designed by the architectural bureau extrastudio in the quiet area of Alto da Ajuda in Lisbon, Portugal, is intended for a family couple — an artist and a musician who once performed tour with none other than BB King.

Since the external appearance and key parameters of the building were dictated by local construction constraints, the architects channeled all their creativity into crafting unexpected spatial solutions within a conventional shell.

The basement houses an art studio — a strict space with exposed concrete ceiling beams and a long ten-meter skylight. Adjacent to it is an isolated music room, with water splashing outside the window from a swimming pool.

The first floor is a 10x10-meter square — a generous space with large windows facing three directions. All social areas are organized in an open-plan layout in this room, creating a vibrant and airy atmosphere. The floor is slightly below ground level, giving the interior an unusual scale and transforming window sills into benches.

Three bedrooms are traditionally located on the second floor. On the floor above, under a gabled roof, there is room for a loft offering a magnificent view of the river and sea.

Construction of the house began after Portugal sought financial assistance from the IMF, and as often happened during that period, designers had to forgo decorative details and expensive materials, leaving only a basic, elementary architecture. Only the marble used in the pool built in the early stages of construction serves as a reminder of other possibilities, turning the music room into a magical space.

Photos: Hugo Santos Silva