Housing of the future in Lisbon

Idea projektu

The project is situated beneath the deck of Lisbon’s Ponte 25 de Abril, the iconic bridge spanning the Tagus River and connecting both riverbanks. This location was chosen based on an analysis of local opportunities and constraints. While the area benefits from excellent services and transportation infrastructure, the dense network of existing developments and utility lines makes further parcel-based expansion unfeasible. As such, the available footprint beneath the bridge presents a unique opportunity for development. The primary aim of the project is to create new housing in the city center. Given the economic context, there is a growing need to provide accommodation for young people and the working population. Therefore, the concept goes beyond simple housing — it envisions a self-sustaining city suspended beneath the bridge. The goal is to establish a living environment for communities that can meet their own needs within the limits of the design. By integrating functions such as culture, sports, markets, playgrounds, community gardens, and parks, the project aspires to satisfy essential human needs and support a degree of independence from the surrounding urban infrastructure. The location smartly leverages existing urban amenities, eliminating the need to compensate for deficiencies. Instead, the project aims to enrich the area and elevate the standard and experience of urban living.

Popis projektu

The positioning of the structure within the terrain was not the central focus of the design, as the entire building—aside from the entrance core—is suspended beneath the bridge deck. This suspended solution was chosen in order to maintain an open footprint, connect directly to the bridge structure, and make use of extensive ground area, including space above the river surface. From an urban perspective, the project focuses more on integration into the surrounding environment. The bridge itself is a monumental steel structure that openly displays its construction elements, materials, and structural logic. This inspired the idea of placing the new architecture literally “under the wing” of the existing bridge—embracing its qualities and character. Another key goal was to maximize the site’s potential for energy autonomy and sustainability. The design includes considerations such as the integration of photovoltaic panels, carefully planned building services systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), wastewater treatment, air-to-water heat pumps, waste and rainwater management, among others. Through this approach, the building becomes a self-sufficient unit that blends seamlessly with its context. Rather than disrupting the urban fabric, it adds value to the city center and helps enhance housing quality near the historic core. The residential units are designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. A key feature is that each unit offers an unobstructed view toward the eastern bank of the Tagus River. In response, the interior concept focuses on bright and cheerful tones. The entrance hall is finished in warm wooden materials, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The bathroom features cladding inspired by traditional Portuguese tiles, with patterns in shades of yellow. The living room and kitchen are designed in darker tones to balance the intense morning sunlight coming from the east. A steel cantilevered staircase leads to the living spaces on the upper floor, which follow the same interior style. Overall, the apartments allow for individual customization while maintaining a coherent palette of colors and materials that ensures a dignified, minimalist, and aesthetically pleasing space. Externally, depending on the level and functional zone, various types of spaces alternate. Communal areas are intended for gatherings and social interaction, accessible to both residents and visitors. Zones for baristas and small vendors offer opportunities for local commerce, with a flexible layout that allows for a variety of furniture arrangements. Marketplace areas provide basic goods and services, while sports zones support recreation and leisure. Playgrounds cater to children’s entertainment. Technical areas—such as those for photovoltaics, water treatment systems, public restrooms, and service infrastructure—are also integrated into the design. Green park areas provide visual relief from the surrounding brutalist structure of the bridge, creating an important contrast and softening the overall experience. All these zones are distributed across elevated platforms at varying heights, creating a dynamic and layered experience. Vertical circulation is provided via public elevators and staircases, ensuring full connectivity. Together, these elements form a self-sufficient, community-oriented environment. The goal was never to isolate the inhabitants from the city, but rather to enrich their living conditions. Ultimately, the project cultivates a community that—over time—becomes increasingly independent, while still remaining in dialogue with the urban fabric around it.

Technické informace

The structural and material design is directly inspired by the existing construction of the Ponte 25 de Abril. The primary aim is to seamlessly blend the new structure with the original bridge, creating the impression that the addition has long been an integral part of Lisbon’s rich urban panorama. The design builds upon the suspended steel structure of the bridge itself, with the new components connected through a system of tension rods. The suspended platforms are constructed from specialized steel beams and grids that offer the required strength while minimizing structural load. These steel elements are complemented by metal cladding and, importantly, lightweight cast flooring surfaces that help counterbalance the harsh, cold nature of the steel. Additional materials include acoustic panels, terrazzo flooring, concrete finishes, and rubber surfaces for the sports areas. The residential units are based on a skeletal structural system and are enclosed with modular cladding made of laminated and transparent safety glass. Interior finishes are composed of soft pastel tones. The intention was to provide a robust but flexible housing base, easily customizable to the habits and identities of its inhabitants. Hence, the use of simple wooden and ceramic finishes, paired with subdued colors and clean motifs. The use of glass, ceramics, and terrazzo also references Lisbon’s architectural tradition. A key consideration was the selection of materials that are sustainable, durable, and—when affected by time—easy to recycle. The principles of renewability and recyclability were fundamental to the development of the overall design.