Casa Singer: How Light & Space Redefine This Porto Apartment
Discover Casa Singer, a stunning apartment transformation by Atelier Sergio Rebelo, nestled in the heart of Porto, Portugal. This 2020 renovation breathes new life into a 1939 Art Deco building, blending historical architecture with modern design principles. The redesigned layout maximizes openness and flexibility, inviting an abundance of natural light and integrating original materials with new, contemporary elements.
About Casa Singer
A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: The Rebirth of Casa Singer
In the bustling heart of Porto, Portugal, an iconic Art Deco building, constructed in 1939, undergoes a transformative journey. Casa Singer, named after its historic Singer building location on the esteemed Rua de Sá da Bandeira, stands as a testament to the architectural evolution that bridges past and present. This project, undertaken by the visionary team at Atelier Sergio Rebelo in 2020, reimagines the traditional apartment layout, introducing a realm of flexibility, openness, and light.
The original essence of the building is not only preserved but celebrated, with a deep respect for its material palette and distinctive Deco details. The redesign builds upon these timeless elements, weaving them into a contemporary narrative that speaks to both aesthetics and functionality. The apartment’s new layout carves out a secondary circulation axis, parallel to the main façade, allowing daylight to permeate the space from multiple directions, creating an inviting and luminous atmosphere.
Redefining Spaces with Light and Flexibility
Casa Singer’s transformation is marked by its innovative approach to spatial organization. The once compartmentalized rooms now flow into one another, crafting a cohesive open-plan arrangement conducive to modern living. The bedrooms emerge discreetly within this expanse, their seclusion delicately maintained through strategic curtain placement, offering a versatile solution to privacy.
Central to the apartment’s design is the expansive living area, poised on the building’s corner. This strategic positioning divides the space along an axis of symmetry, aligning with the streets’ intersecting angle. This thoughtful consideration ensures that natural light showers the interior, enhancing both the visual and tactile experience of the space.
Every newly introduced element reflects a deep engagement with the existing Deco-inspired details, from the kitchen’s cabinet handles to the oak wood used for closet and door fixtures. The selection of materials, such as the Pedra de Lioz stone in the bathroom, mirrors those found in the building’s original structure, forging a harmonious link between past and present.
Celebrating Heritage through Contemporary Design
Casa Singer’s renovation is a daring exploration of how historical context and modern demands can coalesce into a living space that is both reflective of its lineage and admirably suited to contemporary lifestyles. Atelier Sergio Rebelo has not merely renovated an apartment but has reinterpreted the very essence of the Singer building, allowing it to continue its legacy within Porto’s architectural heritage. Through this meticulous blend of light, space, and material, Casa Singer emerges as a beacon of design innovation, where history’s echo meets modernity’s stride.
Photography by João Boullosa
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