architecture competition
2025
finalist - 2nd. Place & honorable mention
conversion of a former workers`house into art studio & living space
Atelier Afonso
A Place of Silence and Creation
A minimalist atelier rises from the ruins of a workers’ home
Existing Structure as the Foundation for Something New
The project for Atelier Afonso is based on a sensitive approach to the existing structure. The remaining standing walls of a former single-family house, nestled within a row of historic workers’ houses, serve as the foundation for a subtle yet striking transformation. Once situated in a densely built environment, the house is now reimagined and extended with a contemporary timber addition. This approach connects past and present, material and technology, as well as private space and urban fabric.
Dialogue Between Old and New
The design preserves the identity of the place by integrating a prefabricated wooden module into the existing structure as a new, minimalist architectural element. A reduced and clear formal language defines the appearance, while the roof’s proportions and pitch are aligned with the neighboring buildings to seamlessly blend into the streetscape.The new structure enters into a respectful dialogue with its surroundings: the interventions are restrained, yet they introduce a new spatial quality that goes beyond the original volume of the building.
Spatial Organization – Freedom to Create
At the heart of the design lies the creation of an open, light-filled workspace. The floor plan is organized according to the principles of spatial efficiency and clarity: a central island integrates all functional elements – kitchen, studio wash area, bathroom, sleeping alcove, and library. This compact solution maximizes the free area for artistic work and underscores the desire for a flexible, minimalist living space. The height of the room enhances the sense of openness and allows for a deep engagement with light, material, and space.
text & image rights:
Gilles Muller
Inside and Outside – A New Relationship
Unusual for the dense urban fabric of the neighborhood is the deliberate withdrawal of the building volume to occupy only half of the plot. This move creates space for a garden and terrace – a rare privilege in an area dominated by terraced houses without outdoor space. A large-format door element connects the interior and exterior, allowing the garden to become an integral part of the studio. This opening to the surroundings not only enables varying light moods throughout the day, but also creates an inspiring interface between art and nature.
Materiality and Atmosphere
The timber module, as the primary building material, sets a deliberate contrast to the massive quality of the old walls. The natural feel and warm appearance of the wood engage in a dialogue with the rough, aged texture of the existing masonry. This juxtaposition of old and new, of rawness and precision, gives the building a distinctive atmosphere – a quiet yet powerful presence that fosters both contemplation and creative work.
A Place of Focus and Inspiration
Atelier Afonso is more than an architectural intervention – it is a spatial manifestation of its inhabitant’s artistic ethos. Reduction, clarity, and the pursuit of essential spatial qualities are central to the design. The transformation of the house respects its history while simultaneously opening up new possibilities. The result is a place of retreat, concentration, and creative unfolding – a space situated between past and future, quietly redefining what it means to live and work.
*image source: google
