Search

An Abandoned Lisbon Attic Becomes Airy Apartment With Hidden Kitchen

02.01.23 | By
An Abandoned Lisbon Attic Becomes Airy Apartment With Hidden Kitchen

The 645-square-foot MARVILA ATTIC did not begin like this. Prior to KEMA studio renovating the space, it was an attic in disrepair in an old industrial area of Lisbon, Portugal. Finally, the neighborhood is undergoing a revitalization and this project is a part of it. KEMA studio transformed the unlivable attic into a bright and airy apartment with views of the nearby Tagus River.

attic apartment with slanted ceilings and built-in sofa

The renovation required a brand new roof and interior structure, leaving behind the only salvageable components, the floor structure and gable walls. A full bathroom and private entry were added to round out the space’s function.

attic apartment with slanted ceilings and built-in sofa

To maximize the natural light and airiness of the new design, the private areas are contained in a separate volume, leaving the public space open.

attic apartment with slanted ceilings and built-in sofa and storage

attic apartment with slanted ceilings and built-in sofa

A separate volume in the living area houses storage, an embedded sofa, and the kitchen behind fluted wood panels. That leaves the remaining space as open and minimal as possible.

attic apartment with slanted ceilings and built-in sofa

angled view in attic apartment

Four new skylights and two dormer windows are added to fill the space with daylight.

pull out hidden storage unit

There’s even hidden storage in the wall by the entry stairs, perfect for jackets and shoes.

woman walking by white wall in apartment

A window above the bedroom volume and a mirror on the back wall keeps the stairs well-lit.

modern attic apartment view into kitchen

modern attic apartment view into kitchen

Overall, the minimalist design comprises natural tones and sustainable + eco-friendly materials, like fiber cement panels, colored wood fiber panels, plywood, metal, brick tiles, and wooden floor.

modern attic apartment view into kitchen

small desk in front of window in attic apartment

renovated modern bathroom in attic apartment

renovated modern bathroom in attic apartment

renovated modern bathroom in attic apartment

renovated modern bathroom in attic apartment

renovated modern bathroom in attic apartment

closeup off cabinet storage doors

Before:

before shot of shabby apartment

before shot of shabby apartment

a brunette and blonde woman standing in white shirts

KEMA studio \\\ Photo: Agata Mendes

Photos by Alexander Bogorodskiy and Eliza Borkowska – KEMA studio.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.