Corpo Atelier Completes Mixed-Material Refurbishment in Olhão, Portugal
A two-story corner building integrates distinct structural systems through a collage-style architectural approach.
1Project Overview and Scope
The refurbishment project led by corpo atelier in Olhão, Portugal, covers a total area of 360 square meters. Completed in 2026, the structure serves as a prime example of adaptive reuse in urban settings. Lead architects Filipe Paixão and Diogo Moutinho Silva directed the design team, including collaborator Theodora Skillo, throughout the process.
2Collage Construction Methodology
The building is characterized by a collage-style construction method that distinguishes its various levels. Rather than maintaining a uniform aesthetic, the design team treated the ground floor and the first floor as independent entities. This approach allows the building to showcase diverse spatial and aesthetic attributes within a single, cohesive corner site.
3Structural System Diversity
Each level of the building is defined by its own specific structural system and material palette. The ground floor utilizes traditional masonry, while the upper level introduces a wood structure. This deliberate contrast highlights the technical versatility required to merge different building materials effectively while ensuring the overall stability of the corner property.
4Facade Design Strategy
The two facades wrapping the building reflect the internal structural diversity, having very little in common with each other. By allowing the exterior to mirror the internal material shifts, the architects emphasized the distinct identity of each floor. This strategy avoids a forced visual uniformity, instead celebrating the building's layered historical evolution.
5Material Integration Challenges
Integrating a wood structure on top of a brick base requires precise engineering to manage load distribution and thermal expansion differences. The project demonstrates how modern refurbishment can successfully marry legacy masonry with contemporary timber framing. Such material transitions are critical for maintaining structural integrity in coastal environments like the city of Olhão.
6Architectural Context in Olhão
Located in the coastal city of Olhão, the project contributes to the ongoing urban renewal efforts in Portugal. The choice of refurbishment over new construction aligns with broader sustainability goals by preserving existing footprints. This specific intervention highlights the potential for small-scale urban projects to revitalize historic corner lots through innovative design.
7Documentation and Visual Record
The project was documented through photography by Francisco Ascensão, capturing the nuanced interplay between the brick and wood elements. These visual records provide insight into how the architects navigated the complex geometry of the corner site. The documentation serves as a reference for future refurbishment projects involving mixed-material structural systems in urban centers.
8Significance of Adaptive Reuse
This project underscores the importance of structural honesty in contemporary architecture. By clearly demarcating the brick and wood sections, the architects provide a legible history of the building's transformation. Such interventions prove that complex, multi-layered structures can be successfully repurposed to meet modern functional requirements without sacrificing their unique architectural character.