Ouriques House
OURIQUES HOUSE
Ultra Arquitetura
ARCHITECTS
Ultra Arquitetura
LEAD ARCHITECTS
Arthur Lauxen
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Mbk Construtora
COORDINATION
Arthur Lauxen
PROJECT TEAM
Bruna Feltes, Nicole Xue Fillmann, Isadora Olivieri, Luiza Seabra
PHOTOGRAPHS
Roberta Gewehr
AREA
241 m²
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Porto Alegre, Brazil
CATEGORY
Residential Architecture, Extension
English description provided by the architects.
Transforming an existing residence into a contemporary ensemble, the project expands its spaces, integrates architecture, interiors, and landscape, and bestows a new identity upon the house without losing its essence.
The proposal is premised on the client's request for a complete renovation of the existing home, significantly expanding the built areas and modernizing the spaces to breathe new life into the house.
The main limitation of the original building was its spatial constraint, which was overcome by creating new volumes and reorganizing the spaces.
While the front facade was mostly preserved, the rear facade was completely remodeled, establishing a new relationship between the social area and the backyard—an integration that did not exist in the previous layout.
The architectural concept is based on creating a unified ensemble, where the project alignments guide both the new construction adjacent to the existing building and the placement of the pool house at the back of the lot.
These axes organize access points, connections, and sightlines, strengthening visual continuity, spatial integration, and the relationship between the different volumes of the residence.
The design dialogues with references from Brazilian vernacular and modern architecture, reinterpreted in a contemporary way through the appreciation of natural materials, clear constructive expression, structural clarity, and the integration of architecture, interiors, and landscape.
Materiality plays a central role in the project's identity. Solid brick, wood, exposed concrete, and natural stone are used as both structural elements and finishes, establishing continuity between architecture and interiors.
This approach privileges honest, durable solutions with exposed materials and pronounced textures, contributing to a warm, timeless, and sensory atmosphere.
The interior design reinforces this language by highlighting Brazilian furniture and a curation of iconic pieces and styling objects that strengthen the warm, signature, and timeless character of the spaces.
Ultimately, the project overcomes the limitations of the original residence by expanding its spaces and enhancing its internal and external relationships.
The integration between the different volumes, the continuity between architecture and interiors, and the appreciation of natural materials consolidate a cohesive identity for the home, providing greater spatial quality, comfort, and longevity.
