Restelo MVS House by João Tiago Aguiar

The refurbishment and extension by João Tiago Aguiar, arquitectos in Lisbon, Portugal, transformed a 1960s-era property into a contemporary home while respecting its original charm. Special attention was given to the backyard with a sleek swimming pool, large French pocket windows, and the interior layout prioritizing social interaction. Noble materials enhance the sense of quality and timelessness. The design integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a perfect balance of comfort, style, and practicality.

A modern living room featuring a built-in wall unit with shelves, a TV, and decorative accents.

Architectural Statement in Bold

The refurbishment of Casa do Restelo MVS, in Lisbon, by João Tiago Aguiar, architects, transformed a 1960s villa into a contemporary home. While respecting the property’s original charm, the redesign modernized the layout and perfectly integrated the interior and exterior spaces.
Serene living room with large windows, neutral color palette, and modern furnishings.

Enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection

The backyard now features an elegant swimming pool and large French pocket windows that open wide to the outdoor area. This design has transformed the garden into a natural extension of the interior spaces, promoting a stronger connection between the indoor and outdoor environments.

A pivoting entrance door adds a modern touch and serves as a focal point for the façade. The core of the house is flooded with natural light thanks to a courtyard at the bottom of the stairs, incorporating green elements into the interior.

A modern, open-concept living space with clean lines, natural materials, and sculptural stairs.

Reimagining the interior spaces

The layout of the first floor now prioritizes social interaction, maintaining distinct zones. The kitchen, guest bathroom, living room and dining room are complemented by an office/library connected by a central fireplace that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Minimalist white staircase leading to elevated dining area with modern furnishings.
The house has also been restructured to include a new partial basement floor with technical areas and storage. The upper floor has been redesigned to create luxurious private spaces, including two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a master suite with a walk-in closet.
Sleek, minimalist kitchen with white cabinets, wood floors, and a view to the outdoors.

High materials palette

Noble materials such as wood, glass, natural stone and handmade tiles reinforce the sense of quality and timelessness throughout the design. The rear elevation is punctuated by windows and shutters that form a pattern inspired by traditional Portuguese fish scale tiles. This pattern acts as a dynamic skin, filtering sunlight, ensuring privacy and providing a protective barrier.
Sleek, modern interior with minimalist staircase and contrasting artwork in living room.

The aim was to design a sophisticated and harmonious contemporary home, blending modern functionality with mid-20th century charm, offering a perfect balance between comfort, style and practicality.
A cozy, minimalist bedroom with white walls, green curtains, and built-in storage.
Spacious bedroom with large windows overlooking a lush, blooming garden.
Spacious modern bathroom with marble walls, freestanding tub, and glass-enclosed shower.
Modern, minimalist two-story house with clean lines, large windows, and a pool.
Modern architectural design with lush landscaping, reflecting pool, and spacious layout.
A modern two-story house with a distinctive pattern of metal screens covering the facade.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira
Visit João Tiago Aguiar, arquitectos

- by Matt Watts

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