Local: Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Client: Private developer 

This housing development in Vila Nova de Gaia reconnects an existing urban structure, long interrupted by the demolition of a port wine warehouse of the type which still dominates the area.

On the very edge of the UNESCO world heritage area, the site slopes downwards from Rua do Marco in the west to Rua Valverde in the east, and enjoys views over the Douro River, the D. Luís Bridge, and Porto’s emblematic old waterfront.

A four-storey multi-family residential building and the main access to the development is placed on the west of the site on Rua do Marco, finally terminating a hitherto incomplete four-storey urban block.

The scale of building is reduced where it faces Rua Dr. António Granjo, to the north. Here, three-storey townhouses are shielded from the street by a tall granite wall. This mirrors the existing stone wall on the opposite side of the street which delineates the leafy grounds of the historic quinta beyond. The three four-bedroom townhouses feature south-facing gardens and roof terraces with river views

The granite wall continues around the corner onto the narrow Rua Valverde to the east, where two three-bedroom townhouses interlock with the houses on Rua Dr. António Granjo and align with a recently completed terrace of houses in the same development.

In addition to sensitively mending the ruptured urban fabric, the development will create modern, high-quality interior and exterior living spaces from which residents can enjoy their historic surroundings.