SILVA PORTO Building
Preparation of drawings and documentation for Pre-Planning submission.
BVO Arq office
Location: Porto, Portugal
Typology: 6 - apartment residential project
Size: 455.20 m²
The building on Rua de Silva Porto presented a significant design challenge due to strict planning constraints imposed by the local authority. Located in a sensitive area, the site did not allow excavation, limited any increase to the street’s dominant level and required the retention of existing building lines, establishing a highly restrictive framework for the project.
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In parallel, the client’s brief focused on maximising the number of residential units within the permitted envelope. This required careful layout studies to achieve an efficient and well-balanced design, optimising the available area while maintaining spatial quality
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Silva Porto Street Elevation
TECHNICAL DESIGN & PROJECT
On the first floor, a commercial unit with a 3.00 m ceiling height and a T2+1 apartment (Unit A) facing southwest with access to a private garden are located. This floor also provides access to a shared garden, pool, and storage, with an interior courtyard ensuring natural light. Half-levels and stair landings serve as apartment entrances and comply with accessibility standards.​
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One of the main challenges was to maximize the number of apartments within the available building area. Despite the size of the site, the usable footprint was highly constrained, and any increase had previously been denied by the local authority. To optimise space, duplex apartments were proposed, with staircases strategically positioned to create units facing both the front and rear façades. Each duplex features an open-plan lower level, combining living and kitchen areas, and an upper floor dedicated to bedrooms. This solution maximises habitable space while fully complying with building regulations.
Ground Floor Plan
