Modern building with glass and vertical paneling on a sloped street, featuring a circular window, trees, and a person walking.

A modern building with a minimalist design is situated on a sloped street. The structure features a combination of glass and vertical paneling, with a circular window on the lower level. There are trees and landscaped areas around the building, and a person is seen walking on the sidewalk.

A three-story building with green vertical panels and balconies. People are seen interacting on the balconies and in a courtyard area with a picnic table.
A modern residential building with a courtyard featuring greenery, a garden, and people interacting. The building has multiple stories with balconies and a minimalist design.
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A modern interior space featuring a corridor with glass doors and a view of an outdoor garden area. The corridor has a minimalist design with light-colored walls and a circular ceiling light fixture. There are plants placed along the corridor and people are visible in the garden area outside.
A simple line drawing of a site plan showing various building outlines arranged in a scattered pattern.
Architectural elevation drawing of a building complex on a sloped street, featuring a mix of modern and traditional structures with rectangular windows, doors, and a tree.
A simple architectural site plan showing two rectangular building volumes, pathways, and green circular areas representing trees.
Architectural floor plan showing two building sections with rooms and staircases.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-story building with visible floor levels and structural elements.
Architectural floor plans showing two building sections with red structural elements.
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A floor plan of a residential unit featuring a bedroom, living area, kitchen, and bathroom.
A simple architectural section drawing showing a building with a grid-like structure and several human figures inside and outside.
A minimalist architectural section drawing showing a building with three floors. The building is situated on a sloped terrain with trees surrounding it. Several human figures are depicted to indicate scale.
An isometric architectural diagram of a modular housing unit, featuring a layout with two bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, and bathroom. The diagram includes measurements and details of structural components, such as windows, walls, and stairs.
A series of interior spaces showcasing a modern apartment layout. The first section features a balcony with a chair and plant, leading into a living area with a sofa, plant, and wall art. The second section shows a dining area with a table and chairs, adjacent to a small kitchen. The third section is a bathroom with green tiles and a shower curtain. The final section is a bedroom with a bed, lamp, and window.

Story

A modular approach to dignified urban housing The UIL Alcântara project in Lisbon addresses the pressing need for dignified housing for vulnerable individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Situated in the parish of Alcântara, the design fills a gap in the urban block, completing the residential fabric with two complementary volumes. The main volume lies to the east, while a smaller one is positioned to the west, with an urban slit between them marking the entrance from Rua Feliciano de Sousa. The architectural solution employs modularity and prefabrication, ensuring efficient and economically viable construction. Prefabricated concrete columns, beams, and hollow-core slabs are arranged on 8-meter grids, optimizing production and reducing waste. Solid reinforced-concrete slabs are used in transitional areas to provide additional rigidity. This repetition in structural elements is mirrored in the façades and interiors, reducing costs and construction time. The modular system allows for flexibility and future adaptations without compromising structural integrity. Hollow-core slabs and transverse load-bearing walls ensure high structural performance, thermal and acoustic comfort, and allow for the integration of technical infrastructures during prefabrication. This approach results in a building that is light in expression, clear in structure, and rigorous in execution, addressing the challenges of affordable housing with energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and rapid construction.

## Design Highlights

Modular and prefabricated construction Efficient use of prefabricated concrete elements Flexibility for future adaptations High thermal and acoustic performance Urban integration with a clear entrance from Rua Feliciano de Sousa

## Key Facts

Feature Detail
Location Lisbon, Portugal
Architect EXPERIMENTAL
Year 2025
Status Unbuilt
Structural System Prefabricated concrete
Urban Strategy Completes existing residential fabric

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior: The building features a combination of glass and vertical paneling.
  • Interior: Minimalist design with light-colored walls and circular ceiling light fixtures.

Materials

  • Concrete — Structural elements including columns, beams, and slabs.
  • Glass — Façade and interior doors.
  • Metal — Façade elements.

Construction / Systems

  • Modular and Prefabricated: Prefabricated concrete columns, beams, and hollow-core slabs arranged on 8-meter grids. Solid reinforced-concrete slabs used in transition areas.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: green, light-colored walls
  • Lighting: Natural and artificial lighting with circular ceiling light fixtures.

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