Casa Miragaia | Paulo Moreira

Casa Miragaia is the refurbishment of a historic residential building in downtown Porto, transformed into five new apartments of different typologies. Each unit enjoys privileged views over the city, either through generous openings or via a rooftop courtyard. Despite having a single open façade, all apartments benefit from direct sunlight and include a private outdoor space, offering comfort while preserving privacy.

On the ground floor, the original stone arches bear witness to the building’s former life and establish a dialogue with the contemporary intervention, which introduces storage areas for the residents. The stairwell is also inserted within the existing stone structure, reinforcing the contrast between old and new through a careful interplay of materials.

The four upper floors accommodate the five apartments. On the top floor, one of the units unfolds over two levels, with a mezzanine positioned above the bathroom and kitchen. This configuration allows all living areas to face a large window, maximising natural light and framing expansive views over the city.

On the same level, a second, larger apartment is organised through a deliberately simple spatial layout, highlighting the structural logic inspired by the original building. This unit establishes a direct relationship with the rooftop: a large window opens onto a patio that brings daylight deep into the interior while providing a seamless connection to the outdoor space.

The rooftop itself offers a generous surface area conceived as a shared space for appropriation. Designed as a sequence of terraces, it provides multiple viewpoints and varying heights from which to experience the city’s rich topography.

project team: Paulo Moreira, Herminio Santos, Giacomo Valzania

technical support: Parq Arquitectos

client: private

engineer: Armanda Santos, Fátima Leal

builder: Comporto

archeologist: Arqueoges

Construction supervisor: Daniel Castro

date: 2015-22

site area: 245 m2

building area: 335 m2

photos: Ivo Tavares Studio