Experimental

The intervention consists of the renovation of a small single-family house located on a narrow plot in the urban centre of Leiria, nestled between two pre-existing buildings. The project is based on consolidating the existing alignments and maximising the volume allowed by local regulations, re-establishing the built perimeter and closing the street frontage.

The new proposal retains the original footprint and fully occupies the permitted building envelope, optimising usable space within a compact layout. Inside, a single central space — wide and continuous — organises the programme, acting as an interstitial void between neighbouring constructions and distributing access to the house’s private areas: two bedrooms and a bathroom. This central space follows an open and multipurpose logic, adaptable to different uses over time.

The construction is intended to be carried out on a modest budget, using local labour and materials. The structure is kept simple, with a timber roof, ceramic tile cladding, and the reuse of demolition materials for finishes and built-in elements. The material palette is based on affordable, easy-to-assemble modules, reducing both costs and construction time.