Located in a quiet, central street in Aveiro, Portugal, the alteration and expansion of a deteriorated Art Nouveau building has transformed the home. 

The interventions have created a modern city home.

Constructed in the 20th century, the Park House faces the city park, a natural, tree-filled area. The home’s façade features various plant, animal and human elements carved in limestone. This architectural and historical value was essential to preserve, thus guiding the material and formal character of the rest of the intervention. 

The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over the park and city beyond.

Historic preservation 

Respecting the memory inscribed in the building’s original skin, the Park House unfolds towards the green heart of the city.  

The home features four bedroom suites on the upper level.

A red skin, placed over the original façade with cross-laminated timber (CLT) slats, cuts through the space – creating a visual narrative that celebrates the passage of time. 

Contemporary interior 

A skylight above brings light through the staircase to create shadow and movement inside the space.

The house is organised over four floors. A garage and workspace in the basement floor, with social spaces on the ground floor, are inviting gatherings and sharing. The upper floors house four suites, and finally, crowning the structure, a terrace that offers 360 degrees views over the city. 

Project details 

Project name: Casa do Parque/Park House. 

Location: Aveiro, Portugal. 

Architect: Paulo Martins Arquitectura e Design. 

Main architect: Paulo Martins. 

Total area: 518m². 

Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio. 

Thanks and acknowledgement go to Ivo Tavares Studio for the information in this article.