Designing a project in the center of a city like Viana do Castelo is a highly demanding and motivating challenge for our practice.

The site is located in a particularly significant area, where archaeological remains were discovered during excavation works, indicating that it is part of the oldest section of the city.

Creating a building that stands out while respecting the city’s values and its surroundings requires extra care in the design process. In terms of volume, the project was constrained by the parameters defined in the detailed plan for the area, which we had to fully comply with. Therefore, the focus turned to the geometry of the façade and its materiality.

Throughout the development of the project, the intention was always to integrate it with the surrounding buildings—especially the Viana do Castelo Courthouse—while still creating a building with strong character and presence, one that would stand out without detracting from the historical value of this part of the city.

To achieve this, handcrafted solid bricks in brown tones were used, featuring a rich, variegated texture that echoed the roof colors of the nearby Courthouse—an imposing presence on the street. The anthracite-colored, vertically aligned windows and small flower boxes on the balconies also contributed to giving the building the desired contextual integration.

Particular attention was paid to environmental considerations, with the project being designed following Passivhaus principles, ensuring high energy efficiency for the building.

The result is a small, contemporary multifamily building with a strong presence, yet perfectly integrated into a historic urban setting.