Lisbon architect José Guimarães converted a 50-square-meter former shop in Campo de Ourique into a bright, functional apartment for his brother. The space, previously used by the local council, had no kitchen when the project began.
With a limited budget, Guimarães prioritized improving how the rooms connected rather than making structural changes. He removed only the wall between the kitchen and living area. Instead of major construction, he used carefully chosen furnishings, glass partitions, and a courtyard filled with plants to create a sense of openness.
A glass-block wall blurs the line between street and home
The shop once opened directly onto the sidewalk. Now, a curved glass-block wall serves as a transparent barrier, offering privacy while allowing natural light to filter through. Behind it, a glazed desk and floor-to-ceiling curtains conceal a storage system built by Guimarães, ensuring privacy even when the front doors stay open.
Guimarães calls the entrance a space that functions “in many ways like a balcony.” His brother often sits there in the morning, reading in the sunlight. The glass softens the boundary, making the entry a quiet place to pause while remaining connected to the neighborhood.
The courtyard becomes the apartment’s central feature
At the rear of the apartment, the courtyard was once dark and poorly shaped. Guimarães turned it into a green retreat with tall plants and built-in seating. He replaced the original double-leaf timber door with a single large glass door and extended an adjacent window to the floor.
The door and tilt window usually stay open, filling the living area with light and air. The courtyard no longer feels separate—it merges with the indoor space, creating a seamless transition between inside and outside.
Such changes show how small adjustments can make a home feel more spacious without expanding its size. The courtyard, once overlooked, now shapes daily routines, from morning coffee to enjoying an evening breeze. Similar small-space solutions demonstrate how thoughtful design can transform tight quarters into comfortable living areas.
A flexible dining table solves a layout challenge
The dining area sits between the kitchen, living room, and courtyard, making it one of the busiest parts of the apartment. Guimarães needed a table that could handle daily use while allowing easy movement.
He found a vintage 1960s table in an online auction. Its circular chrome base and laminated timber top expand to seat six when needed, then shrink back to a smaller size. Combined with chairs gifted by another architect, the table keeps the space adaptable without sacrificing practicality.
A kitchen designed for openness, not clutter
Guimarães avoided filling the kitchen with bulky cabinets. Open shelving, rails, and freestanding furniture maintain a light, uncluttered feel. A stainless steel shelf above the counter holds books and dry goods, while an IKEA rail keeps utensils accessible.
Opposite the counter, a second-hand cabinet—found nearby—stores pantry items. Its color matches the custom cabinetry below, unifying the design while keeping the walls clean.
The bedroom remains simple, with subtle privacy
The main bedroom needed little work. Guimarães only updated the window frames and replaced heavy shutters with security bars. To balance privacy and light, he added a long white curtain set slightly away from the window.
The curtain softens daylight while shielding the room from the street. It also serves a practical function—hanging laundry to dry.
“There’s a common misconception about small spaces,” Guimarães says. “Size isn’t the issue—they can feel just as special.” The apartment, once a shop, now sits at the city’s edge yet feels like a quiet escape.
