Located in Faro, Portugal, the Three Exposed Concrete Façades project, realized by Corpo Atelier, showcases a masterful refurbishment that marries the region’s rich architectural heritage with contemporary design principles. This project, completed in 2023, is not just a refurbishment; it’s a reimagination of space, structure, and the subtle narratives embedded in architectural materials.
Three Exposed Concrete Façades Technical Information
- Architects: Corpo Atelier
- Location: Faro, Portugal
- Topics: Portuguese Houses
- Completion Year: 2023
- Photographs: © Frederico Martinho
Each façade displays a different arrangement of the same constructive principle: a wall of exposed concrete rises from the ground, then, at a certain moment, a metal grid emerges from the concrete to contain a variety of local stones stacked on top of each other, until finally, the grid contains nothing but air.
– Corpo Atelier Architects
Three Exposed Concrete Façades Photographs
Concrete Narratives: The Art of Transformation
At the project’s core is the transformation of three houses set around a courtyard, each fronted by a façade that unfolds a narrative of construction and materiality. The façades are studies in the evolution of a single constructive principle: exposed concrete emerges from the earth, ascending into a dance with metal grids that gradually transition from being filled with local stones to encasing nothing but the Algarve’s breathable air. This progression demonstrates the architects’ adept handling of materials and their philosophical engagement with the notions of fullness and void, presence and absence.
Inside the main house, the intervention is subtle yet profound. The removal of four walls is counterbalanced by the placement of pine wood lines on the concrete floor, tracing where the walls once stood. Replicas of the original doorframes stand as sentinels of memory, marking the absence and evoking a contemplation on the nature of boundaries and transitions within domestic spaces.
One of the main decisions was to preserve the main façade facing Alportel Street, which was unchanged. This façade, designed in 1934, preserves its era’s aesthetic and compositional achievements. By maintaining this historical visage, Corpo Atelier establishes a dialogue between the past and present, ensuring that the architectural heritage is preserved and celebrated as a living part of the urban landscape.
Three Exposed Concrete Façades is a thoughtful architectural refurbishment. It respects the past while boldly asserting a contemporary vision. Corpo Atelier’s work reminds us of architecture’s power to reinterpret and transform our surroundings, crafting spaces that resonate with history and anticipate future narratives.
Through this project, Corpo Atelier invites us to reflect on the layers of history and the possibilities of architectural expression, proving once again that in the hands of visionary architects, the fabric of our cities can be woven into new, inspiring forms.
The Three Exposed Concrete Façades Plans
The Three Exposed Concrete Façades Image Gallery
About Corpo Atelier
Corpo Atelier, an architecture and art studio, delves deep into the exploration and expansion of what they term “architectural anatomy” with a focus on its exploration and expansion. Drawing parallels between human and architectural anatomy, it views structure, walls, windows, and doors as essential components akin to bones, skin, eyes, and mouths, each with a unique function yet boundless in potential. This perspective allows endless experimentation beyond biological constraints, fostering innovative spatial configurations and interactions. At Corpo, the fusion of these elements in novel ways, through scale manipulation, unconventional materials, and creative modification, transforms architectural practice into a conceptual exploration, challenging conventional boundaries with intelligence and irony.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Team: Filipe Paixão, Laura Correia, Laura Bação, Diogo Silva, Pietro Pucci
