Esperança House

The rehabilitation of this 65 sq m apartment, set within a 19th-century building, responds to a condition strongly defined by its original compartmentalization. A succession of small rooms, hallways, and doors restricted the intake of natural light and resulted in a rigid interior, despite the apartment's modest footprint.

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The intervention sought to counteract this condition without erasing the building's original constructive logic. Rather than removing the walls entirely, openings were cut into their planes, preserving the existing structure and allowing it to actively participate in the spatial organization and reading of the home. This operation enables natural light to traverse the apartment, establishes visual connections between different areas, and enhances continuity across the living spaces—all while maintaining the memory of the former layout.

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The reorganization of the brief was paired with a meticulous optimization of storage, concentrated within custom-designed, built-in elements to free up circulation areas and minimize loose furniture. The kitchen, bathrooms, and utility areas were compacted and rationalized, ensuring a more efficient use of the reduced floor area.

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Designed for short-term rentals, the project reconciles functional flexibility, durability, and domestic comfort, converting a dark and fragmented interior into a more open, luminous, and legible space that remains tied to its heritage.