Arts Building: Modern Residential Transformation in Porto, Portugal

Located in the vibrant city of Porto, Portugal, the Arts Building is a striking residential project by MiMool Arquitectura & Design de Interiores, completed in 2023. Covering an area of 1,660 m², this project exemplifies sensitive urban renewal, merging historical preservation with contemporary architectural interventions.

Context and Site Intervention

The project is situated on a 1,060 m² plot along Rua de Adolfo Casais Monteiro, featuring an existing main building with four floors and an adjoining structure with industrial characteristics extending into the interior courtyard. Originally, the site contained several industrial constructions, leaving only a small open patio.

The architects’ intervention involved the demolition of all existing structures and impermeable surfaces in the courtyard, enabling a complete reorganization of the site for residential use. The main buildings were leveraged to accommodate 14 modern residential units, with a new setback floor added atop the primary volume, clad in pre-patinated zinc in an anthracite finish with concealed fasteners, emphasizing the contemporary addition while respecting the original architecture.

Architectural Design and Façade Preservation

The project carefully maintains the integrity of the Rua de Adolfo Casais Monteiro façade. The number of original floors facing the street was preserved, while all historical granite elements, ironwork, and ceramic tiles—some of Porto’s oldest—were restored. These heritage tiles are even referenced in Ana Margarida Portela Domingues' doctoral research on Romanticism-era ceramic ornamentation in Portugal, highlighting the cultural value integrated into the design.

The existing high ceilings allowed for the creation of intermediate floors within the original volume, a subtle intervention visible only on the courtyard-facing facades. At the rear, the addition of a new floor required a careful façade redesign, balancing material selection and architectural language to ensure a harmonious yet modern expression.

Contemporary Courtyard Design

The courtyard design introduces green spaces, private patios, and pathways, promoting communal and private outdoor areas for residents. A modern, minimalist architectural language was applied to the new courtyard-facing structures, creating a clean contrast with the restored historic main façade. The plan also includes private parking, blending functionality with aesthetics.

This project demonstrates how adaptive reuse and sensitive urban infill can preserve cultural heritage while introducing contemporary residential architecture in a dense urban environment.

Materials and Collaborations

The Arts Building incorporates high-quality finishes and trusted manufacturers, including:

Geberit – plumbing systems
Margres – ceramic tiles
BRUMA – decorative finishes
JNF – interior elements
Sanindusa – sanitary equipment

Photography by Ivo Tavares Studio captures the meticulous restoration and the seamless integration of modern architectural elements within a historic Porto context.