{"id":217827,"date":"2025-09-11T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/217827\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T09:30:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:30:36","slug":"renovated-porto-residence-reimagines-hillside-terraces-with-stepped-concrete-layers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/217827\/","title":{"rendered":"renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers"},"content":{"rendered":"

a contemporary interpretation of Portuguese hillside terraces<\/p>\n

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Located in the historic district of Miragaia, Porto<\/a><\/strong>, the Monte dos Judeus residential<\/a> renovation<\/a><\/strong> project offers a contemporary take on the traditional terraces that define the area\u2019s hillside landscape. Inspired by the organic layering of platforms that shapes Miragaia\u2019s built environment, the design by Ant\u00f3nio Bessa Cruz Architects and Jos\u00e9 Carlos Cruz Arquitecto unfolds through a sequence of stepped concrete<\/a><\/strong> levels, each hosting a separate apartment. These platforms follow the natural topography while maximizing views of the Douro River and surrounding roofs. Each apartment sits on its own level, with private outdoor spaces and a close connection to the landscape, recalling the terraced gardens and backyards that once covered the hillside.<\/p>\n

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Monte dos Judeus rises in Porto\u2019s Miragaia district | all images by Alexander Bogorodskiy<\/a><\/p>\n

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a dialogue between historic structures and present architecture<\/p>\n

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Monte dos Judeus\u2019 intervention is built upon a pre-existing structure that had fallen into ruin, from which the original facade tiles had been carefully removed for later reapplication. For the street-facing elevation, the strategy was to reconstruct the original facade and add an abstract volume whose cladding of corrugated metal sheets is highly characteristic of this area. The collaborative team between creative practice<\/a><\/strong> Ant\u00f3nio Bessa Cruz Architects and design studio<\/a><\/strong> Jos\u00e9 Carlos Cruz Arquitecto adopts a sober, contemporary language that respects the site\u2019s scale without relying on imitation. The choice of materials, volumes, and the back facade treatment reflects a sensitive reading of the context and a strong connection to the site\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n

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a contemporary interpretation of traditional hillside terraces<\/p>\n

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design by Ant\u00f3nio Bessa Cruz Architects and Jos\u00e9 Carlos Cruz Arquitecto<\/p>\n

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corrugated metal cladding reflects local building traditions<\/p>\n

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apartments unfold across a sequence of stepped platforms<\/p>\n

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the layout follows the site\u2019s natural topography<\/p>\n

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historic character is retained while adding new layers<\/p>\n

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the design recalls terraced gardens once on the hillside<\/p>\n

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private outdoor spaces connect living to landscape<\/p>\n

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each level maximizes views of the Douro River<\/p>\n

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the project bridges memory and modern living<\/p>\n

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a dialogue between past structures and present architecture<\/p>\n

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project info:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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name:<\/strong>\u00a0Monte dos Judeus
architects:<\/strong>\u00a0Ant\u00f3nio Bessa Cruz Architects<\/a> | @antoniobessacruz_architects<\/a> + Jos\u00e9 Carlos Cruz Arquitecto<\/a> | @jcc_architects<\/a><\/p>\n

location:<\/strong> Miragaia, Porto, Portugal<\/p>\n

photographer:<\/strong> Alexander Bogorodskiy<\/a> | @alexanderbogorodskiy<\/a><\/p>\n

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designboom has received this project from our\u00a0DIY submissions<\/a>\u00a0feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom<\/p>\n