This project is about a small building that houses a residence and a shop. Due to the limited available surface of the plot, the volume expands vertically, and is divided into the two basic zones: residence and shop.
The concept was to create a simple composition of two elements, one that houses the vertical communication between levels, and the other the usable space. The first two levels are occupied by the shop, while the residence is divided in the following three levels, with distinct separation of uses. The private areas located in the third level, and the common spaces to the fourth and fifth level, taking also advantage of the view. An important element of the composition is the covered terrace in the final floor, following the typology of the buildings in the area, where an open outdoor space is placed in the rooftops, due to the small plots and commercial use of the ground levels.
The intention behind the composition and the clear allocation of the uses in each level, was to give a sense that the available space is bigger than it is. The use of height and reflective surfaces in the interior, are gestures in order to optically multiply the available space, with a simultaneous combination of large openings that provide a continuity between the interior and exterior environment.