corpo atelier adheres tiled facade and window frame fragments to building in portugal

FACADE FRAGMENTS INSIDE FAKE FACADES by Corpo Atelier

In a display of architectural creativity, experimental design group Corpo Atelier proposes an uncommon building renovation in the heart of Faro’s city center in Portugal. Seamlessly integrating into its historic surroundings, the project sets up a new facade that adopts the appearance of a traditional structure or a meticulously restored heritage front. However, the construction is crafted as a deception, expertly mimicking traditional aesthetics never apparent in the initial composition. The deliberate inclusion of three grand windows, cutting across the plane of the old-styled frontage, disrupts the flow of its intricate ornaments and tiles, challenging perceptions.

all images by Frederico Martinho

blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination

Within the apartment, the creative team incorporates several ‘faux’ facade fragments crafted from lightweight materials such as cardboard plaster and foam. The components conceal practical elements like lighting fixtures, washing machines, and kitchen cupboards. These features seamlessly merge functionality and aesthetics, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. The seemingly wood and marble textures on the flooring are, in fact, a configuration of patterned ceramic tiles. By skillfully combining the traditional architectural language of the city center with contemporary design principles, the building challenges the perception of reality.

the building adopts the appearance of a traditional structure or a meticulously restored heritage front

the construction is crafted as a deception, expertly mimicking traditional aesthetics

three windows cut across the plane of the old-styled facade disrupting the flow of its ornaments and tiles

the traditional facade fragments were never apparent in the initial composition

‘faux’ facade fragments crafted from cardboard plaster and foam conceal practical elements like kitchen cupboards

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conceptual drawing

conceptual drawing

project info:

name: FACADE FRAGMENTS INSIDE FAKE FACADES
designer: Corpo Atelier | @corpo_atelier

design team: Filipe Paixão, Susana Café, Laura Correia, Laura Bação, Diogo Silva, Rui Oliveira, Pietro Pucci

location: Faro, Portugal

photography: Frederico Martinho | @fredericomartinho

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom