Lisbon has an old housing stock full of character. The buildings constructed between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century—the so-called apartment buildings, the late Pombaline properties, buildings from the 1920s and 1930s—have features that contemporary apartments rarely replicate: ceilings three meters high or more, solid wood floors, ceilings with ornate moldings and medallions, generously thick walls, and wooden window frames with character.
These are also spaces that have aged. The electrical and plumbing systems are decades old. The layout of the rooms follows a logic that no longer corresponds to the way people live today. Energy efficiency was not a design consideration.
Designing these apartments requires a unique approach that begins with understanding the project at hand.
What defines an old apartment in Lisbon
The oldest apartments in Lisbon, especially in the neighborhoods of Arroios, Avenidas Novas, Campo de Ourique, Príncipe Real, Estrela, and Belém, have a spatial layout that reflects the customs of the era in which they were built: long hallways, bedrooms separated from the living area by considerable distances, small, enclosed kitchens, and bathrooms that are cramped in comparison to the rest of the apartment.
The structure may be made of stone masonry, brick, or, in older buildings, wood—which determines what can and cannot be altered. Some walls must not be touched. Some floors conceal utility systems that need to be completely redesigned. And there are architectural elements that, as part of the space’s identity, are worth preserving.
It is in this context that the architecture and interior design project begins.
What's changing: facilities, layout, efficiency
An architectural and interior design project for an older apartment almost always involves renovating the building’s systems. Plumbing, electrical systems, and heating are often completely replaced—not for aesthetic reasons, but out of necessity and for functional purposes. It is also an opportunity to rethink the space from a contemporary perspective: the placement of outlets, zone-based lighting, and discreetly integrated window treatments or climate control systems.
The layout is the second major change. The older apartments were designed for a way of life that is no longer relevant today: kitchens isolated from the living room instead of open to it, utility rooms that have lost their original function, layouts that create long hallways and transitional spaces. When the structure allows—and it doesn’t always—the spatial logic is reconfigured to suit the routines of those who will live there.
Energy efficiency tends to improve as a result of renovations, but it is rarely the primary consideration in an older apartment. The goal is for the space to function well—for light to enter, for ventilation to be adequate, and for the chosen materials to withstand actual use.
What remains: ceiling height, floors, ceilings
This is often the most important decision in any renovation project for an older apartment: what to preserve.
In apartments where it remains intact, the generous ceiling height is a defining feature of the space. It dictates the scale of the furniture, the way light is distributed, and the sense of spaciousness. It must not be altered.
Solid wood floors—pine, oak, chestnut—can almost always be restored, even when they seem beyond repair. Sanding, treatment, and refinishing can restore a century-old floor to a quality that most new materials cannot replicate. The decision to replace should be made with full knowledge of the facts: some floors do not survive restoration, but these are the exception.
Ornate ceilings—medallions, stucco moldings, friezes—are elements that define the unique character of an old apartment. Restoring them is labor-intensive and costly; but the result of a restored ceiling in a space designed from scratch is consistently superior to that of a plain ceiling simply painted over. The contrast between a preserved historical element and a contemporary intervention, when well managed, enriches the space rather than contradicting it.
The issue of licensing in Lisbon
Projects involving listed buildings or those located in Lisbon’s historic districts are subject to licensing requirements that do not apply in other contexts. The Lisbon City Council, in coordination with the DGPC where applicable, has established rules regarding what changes may be made to the facade, structure, and heritage features of buildings of historical or architectural interest.
The approval process varies depending on the type of building and the nature of the project—and it can take time. This is not an obstacle to be circumvented; it is a factor that must be incorporated into the planning from the outset. Projects involving buildings subject to specific regulations require more time and a detailed understanding of Lisbon’s regulatory context.
Understanding this regulatory context—and knowing how to incorporate it into the planning process from the very beginning—is part of the job. At Atelier Spacemakers, architecture and interior design go hand in hand, which makes this process more seamless for the client.
Materials suitable for historic spaces
Some materials complement older apartments well, while others clash with them. The choice isn’t a matter of style—it’s a matter of proportion, scale, and authenticity.
Natural stone—particularly Portuguese marble and limestone—has a special affinity with Lisbon’s architecture that synthetic materials rarely achieve. Wood, whether in flooring, window frames, or custom-made furniture, maintains the material continuity of spaces that were built using it.
Contemporary interventions using iron, glass, or concrete are possible and sometimes very successful, but they require a clear intention. When the contrast is deliberate and well-founded, it works. When it is accidental, it disrupts the coherence.
How we approach these projects
This means working with the client to identify what is non-negotiable. But it also means, before any design decisions are made, understanding what the building itself allows.
In older apartments, any change to the existing layout begins with a thorough structural analysis. Atelier Spacemakers works with specialized partner engineers who assess the structure before any significant work is undertaken—whether it involves removing walls, opening up spaces, or replacing floors. This is not an optional step. It is essential for ensuring that design decisions are safe and that the client knows, from the very beginning, what is actually possible in that space.
It is this collaborative effort between architecture, design, and engineering—from the very beginning—that prevents surprises on-site and ensures that the approved design is the one that is ultimately built.
