Casa IMLA in Porto

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Ivo Tavares Studio

Carefully balancing Porto’s historic charm with modern ingenuity, Casa IMLA seamlessly weaves the past with the present.

Casa IMLA, nestled in the heart of Porto’s historic Bairro da Vilarinha, is a testament to the architectural legacy of Estado Novo’s economic housing initiatives of the late ’50s. The neighbourhood is adorned with quaint semi-attached houses – each corner telling a story of a bygone era.

Tucked away at the end of the street, this charming abode boasts a spacious garden, a rare gem in this bustling enclave. The journey to transform this house began with a simple yet significant change: relocating the entrance to a different street, offering newfound privacy and seclusion to the verdant oasis that is the garden.

To meet the demand for increased space, Luppa Arquitectos embarked on a journey to expand the house, crafting a two-story extension along its western façade. This addition, not only enhances the house’s overall footprint but also creates an inviting indoor patio, where sunlight dances through the day, casting a warm glow on its inhabitants.

A guiding principle of this project was to seamlessly blend the old with the new. The architects envisioned a design where the original essence of the house remained intact, where the new volume stood as a testament to modernity while paying homage to its storied past. Through careful consideration of form and function, they ensured that each interior space was bathed in natural light, forging a harmonious connection between the inside and the outside. 

Every detail of Casa IMLA tells a tale of thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship. From the subtle interplay of light and shadow to the timeless elegance of its architecture, this is more than just a house —it’s a sanctuary, a haven where past and present converge in perfect harmony. | luppa.pt

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.