PORTO
SUPPLIERS
Ecobati
Ecobati
Ligue Royale Belge pour la Protection des Oiseaux
How can we live well under a roof ? That simple but essential question lies at the heart of this project.
Attics are often treated as leftover space, and they come with a host of challenges: overheating in summer, poor access to the outdoors, limited openings and views, sloping ceilings that constrain volume, and generally poor spatial quality. The goal here was to transform these attic rooms into a sustainable family duplex with two bedrooms, meeting today’s standards of comfort, liveability, and energy performance.
The existing space was in poor condition—severely water-damaged, structurally weakened—requiring a full reconstruction of the pitched roof. This necessity became an opportunity: a slight roof raise allowed the creation of a more generous volume, including a spacious double-height central area. From the mezzanine, you get a clear view through the entire space, from the street to the rear terrace, reinforcing a sense of openness and continuity.
New roof openings bring in natural light throughout the day and support effective passive ventilation, allowing hot air to escape upwards. The roof is insulated with wood fiber, a biosourced material with high thermal inertia—perfect for reducing summer overheating. The project also includes a rear extension, topped with a green flat roof that doubles as a large terrace, directly accessible from the kitchen and dining area. Beyond improving thermal comfort and managing rainwater, this green roof also enhances biodiversity: birdhouses are integrated into the façades and roof tiles, while melliferous plants provide habitat for pollinating insects.
Starting from a constrained and degraded space, this project delivers a response that is at once technical, ecological, and architectural—reclaiming the attic as a fully inhabitable