# Benfica AM & MR Villa Renovation by João Tiago Aguiar A residential transformation project in Portugal blending historical preservation with modern architectural expansion. - **Source:** [ArchDaily Global](https://brifing.si/source/b856ce4a-b51b-4705-954b-40620e034caa) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6745354f-e603-4a7d-8bb6-355bcd2586a6 ## Project Overview and Scope The Benfica AM & MR Villa project, completed in 2025, covers a total area of 300 square meters. Led by João Tiago Aguiar, the intervention focuses on a residential renovation strategy. The design team aimed to balance the preservation of the original structure with a significant expansion toward the rear garden area. ## Architectural Design Strategy The project is defined by a strategy of continuity and transformation. Architects retained the main facade and parts of the lateral elevation to preserve the building's urban memory. Conversely, the rear elevation was fully redesigned to create a modern connection between the interior living spaces and the surrounding woodland landscape. ## Collaborative Design Team João Tiago Aguiar directed a large design team including Rúben Mateus, Nuno Sequeira, and Giulia Giust. The project involved a multidisciplinary approach, with structural engineering consulting provided by Neoget. Additionally, Carpa.com Arquitectura Paisagista managed the landscape architecture, ensuring the garden integration complemented the newly renovated residential structure and its specific site. ## Material and Brand Integration The renovation utilized a diverse range of manufacturers to achieve its aesthetic and functional goals. Key suppliers included Focus, CLIMAR, 4UDECOR, and CIN Performance Coatings. Structural and finishing elements were sourced from companies like Cortizo, Efapel, and Silestone, ensuring high-quality material standards were maintained throughout the 300-square-meter residential renovation process. ## Construction and Execution The general contractor for the project was Oficina dos Sonhos, responsible for executing the complex structural changes required for the rear extension. The construction process prioritized the retention of the existing urban presence while facilitating the transformation of the rear elevation. This required careful coordination between the architects and the construction team. ## Contextual Urban Presence Located in Benfica, Portugal, the villa sits in close proximity to surrounding woodland. The design choice to keep the original facade ensures the house maintains its historical dialogue with the neighborhood. This approach highlights a common trend in Portuguese residential architecture, where heritage preservation is balanced against modern spatial requirements. ## Documentation and Records The project was officially documented through professional photography by Francisco Nogueira. Published in November 2026, the work serves as a case study for residential refurbishment. The detailed records provided by the architects offer insights into the specific material choices and the structural logic applied to the transformation of the original house. ## Significance of Residential Refurbishment This project exemplifies the modern architectural practice of adaptive reuse in residential settings. By integrating new extensions with existing urban facades, the design successfully updates living standards without erasing local history. It demonstrates how 300 square meters can be reconfigured to improve functionality while respecting the site's original architectural character. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.archdaily.com/1188291/benfica-am-and-mr-villa-joao-tiago-aguiar-arquitectos — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._