#residentialunits

Location and Size

The intervention area is situated on a plot of approximately 1,060 square meters, featuring a strategic location overlooking Rua de Adolfo Casais Monteiro. The plot contains an existing building and an extended structure within the site, reflecting clear industrial characteristics.

Main Structure and Building

The main building facing the street consists of four floors, one of which utilizes rooftop space. As the building extends eastward, the number of floors decreases to three. This height gradient contributes to spatial organization and provides a visual transition on the façade.

Courtyard and Open Spaces

Industrial structures dominate most of the courtyard area, leaving only a small portion open. Despite their limited size, these open spaces play an important role in natural ventilation and daylighting, influencing the experience of both interior and exterior spaces.

Intervention Objective and Redistribution

The proposal focused on reorganizing the entire internal courtyard by demolishing existing structures and impermeable flooring, and leveraging the main buildings’ volume to accommodate a residential program consisting of 14 units. The project also introduced a recessed new floor, clad in pre-oxidized anthracite zinc with concealed fasteners, designed to distinguish it from the pre-existing structure.

Utilization of High Ceilings

The high ceilings in the original building allowed for the insertion of a mezzanine floor within the original volume. This modification was only visible on the façades facing the internal courtyard, preserving the building’s harmony with its surrounding environment.

Preservation of the Historic Façade

For the units overlooking Rua de Adolfo Casais Monteiro, the original number of floors was retained out of respect for the façade’s design. The intervention included cleaning and restoring stone and iron elements, as well as tiles, some of which are among the oldest in the city of Porto. It is noteworthy that these tiles were studied in the doctoral thesis of researcher Ana Margarida Portela Domingues, titled “A Ornamentação Cerâmica na Arquitectura do Romantismo em Portugal”, highlighting their historical and cultural significance.

Impact of the Additional Floor on the Façade

The addition of another floor at the rear half of the main building led to noticeable changes on the façade. These modifications underwent a careful design exercise and a thoughtful selection of materials, aiming to preserve the characteristics of the original architectural language and enhance a coherent visual connection with the main façade.

Contemporary Design of the Extended Volume

Conversely, a clean and contemporary design was adopted for the volume extending toward the northern courtyard, avoiding any conflict with the traditional façade of the main building. This contrast between traditional and contemporary styles reflects the designers’ commitment to integrating modernity while respecting architectural heritage.

Courtyard Layout and Green Spaces

Regarding the courtyard, emphasis was placed on enhancing green areas, creating private patios and pathways leading to the communal courtyard, alongside private parking spaces. This arrangement balances practical and aesthetic functions, providing a comfortable and seamless living environment for the building’s residents.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Rua de Adolfo Casais Monteiro project can be considered an example of attempting to integrate contemporary architectural modifications within the context of an existing building, while preserving the historical elements of the street-facing façade. Among the positive aspects, attention is noticeable in organizing the courtyard and introducing green spaces, as well as utilizing the high ceilings to insert a mezzanine floor in a manner that does not affect the traditional façade, reflecting an awareness of visual hierarchy and the building’s dialogue with its urban surroundings.

However, the project raises some questions regarding the effectiveness of redistributing residential units within the existing structure, particularly given the limited open spaces in the internal courtyard. Despite the efforts to preserve the industrial character and the historic façade, the introduction of the recessed new floor and the contemporary extended volume may create a certain visual disconnect between the front and rear floors, posing a challenge regarding the internal layout’s harmony with residents’ needs.

It is also notable that the focus on aesthetic elements, such as pre-oxidized zinc and historic tiles, may not be sufficient to ensure a high-quality daily living experience, especially given the courtyard’s spatial constraints and the limited pathways. From a practical architectural perspective, the project remains an opportunity to study the impact of modern interventions on existing buildings and to understand how to achieve a balance between heritage preservation and meeting contemporary residential requirements, lessons that can be applied to similar rehabilitation projects in the future.

project location

Austin, Texas Villas on Rio Student Residences, a leading student housing in Austin, is located in the vibrant West Campus neighborhood. The project offers a modern approach to student living, designed to balance academic and social life while providing flexible spaces that thoughtfully interact with the surrounding urban environment. It exemplifies a sophisticated architectural understanding of student needs, blending contemporary design with respect for local heritage.

The design highlights the relationship between the historic Victorian house and the new building, emphasizing architectural harmony.

Location and Building Type

The project occupies a central position in a lively university district, wrapping around a historic Victorian house, which illustrates the design’s ability to integrate historic preservation with modern architectural interventions.

The residences offer a variety of unit types, ranging from spacious studios to larger townhouses, accommodating both single and double occupancy. Innovative Pod units enhance density while optimizing individual space, ensuring a practical and flexible living environment for students.

This image highlights carefully crafted panels reflecting the continuous angular design throughout the building.

Design Concept and Architectural Approach

The design adopts a cohesive angular architectural language that connects the interior and exterior spaces. A striking angled glass façade establishes a visual dialogue with surrounding historic buildings, while faceted exterior panels create a continuous geometric rhythm throughout the tower.

Public areas, such as study and lounge floors, are designed with flexibility in mind, encouraging student interaction and supporting both academic and social activities. This reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes user experience and functional integration.

The interior design illustrates open and flexible areas that support students’ academic and social activities.

Materials and Sustainability

The project utilizes modern, durable materials that enhance both aesthetics and performance. Sustainability strategies include:

- Maximizing natural light and ventilation to reduce energy use. - Organizing residential units efficiently without compromising personal comfort. - Designing shared spaces that foster social interaction and collaborative learning.

Villas on Rio demonstrates how contemporary student housing can successfully integrate sustainability and architectural efficiency in a dense urban context.

The image demonstrates the integration of outdoor and rooftop spaces to enhance the student living experience.

Amenities and Facilities

The project features thoughtfully designed facilities aimed at enhancing student life, including:

- Fully equipped, spacious fitness areas. - Relaxation and wellness spaces supporting physical and mental health. - Open, flexible study zones promoting engagement and collaboration.

These amenities emphasize human-centered design, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced student housing experience.

The design illustrates how the façades and angular forms interact with the urban context, highlighting the architectural identity.

Analysis and Evaluation

Villas on Rio Student Residences exemplifies modern architectural design that balances heritage and contemporary needs while addressing the evolving requirements of student living. Its angular language, flexible interior spaces, and well considered amenities all reflect a clear design philosophy focused on creating a fully integrated academic and residential environment.

Project Summary Table

FeatureDetailsLocationWest Campus, Austin, TexasBuilding TypeStudent Residence / High-RiseNumber of Units284 unitsFloors19 floorsUnit TypesStudios, Townhouses, Pod UnitsArchitectural ApproachAngled façade, faceted panels, flexible spacesAmenitiesFitness areas, wellness zones, shared study spacesDesign PhilosophyIntegration of modern design and heritage, focus on user and community

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Villas on Rio Student Residences project is located in Austin’s West Campus, featuring an angled glass façade that dialogues with the surrounding urban context and the adjacent historic Victorian house. Units range from spacious studios to innovative townhouses, with interiors emphasizing flexible communal areas. The design approach seeks to merge contemporary architecture with heritage, although some challenges arise in balancing residential density with user comfort. Nevertheless, the project demonstrates a strong ability to provide an integrated environment for students, seamlessly combining academic and social life in a practical and thoughtful manner.

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