a contemporary interpretation of Portuguese hillside terraces

 

Located in the historic district of Miragaia, Porto, the Monte dos Judeus residential renovation project offers a contemporary take on the traditional terraces that define the area’s hillside landscape. Inspired by the organic layering of platforms that shapes Miragaia’s built environment, the design by António Bessa Cruz Architects and José Carlos Cruz Arquitecto unfolds through a sequence of stepped concrete levels, each hosting a separate apartment. These platforms follow the natural topography while maximizing views of the Douro River and surrounding roofs. Each apartment sits on its own level, with private outdoor spaces and a close connection to the landscape, recalling the terraced gardens and backyards that once covered the hillside.

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
Monte dos Judeus rises in Porto’s Miragaia district | all images by Alexander Bogorodskiy

 

 

a dialogue between historic structures and present architecture

 

Monte dos Judeus’ intervention is built upon a pre-existing structure that had fallen into ruin, from which the original facade tiles had been carefully removed for later reapplication. For the street-facing elevation, the strategy was to reconstruct the original facade and add an abstract volume whose cladding of corrugated metal sheets is highly characteristic of this area. The collaborative team between creative practice António Bessa Cruz Architects and design studio José Carlos Cruz Arquitecto adopts a sober, contemporary language that respects the site’s scale without relying on imitation. The choice of materials, volumes, and the back facade treatment reflects a sensitive reading of the context and a strong connection to the site’s memory.

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
a contemporary interpretation of traditional hillside terraces

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
design by António Bessa Cruz Architects and José Carlos Cruz Arquitecto

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
corrugated metal cladding reflects local building traditions

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
apartments unfold across a sequence of stepped platforms

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
the layout follows the site’s natural topography

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
historic character is retained while adding new layers

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
the design recalls terraced gardens once on the hillside

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
private outdoor spaces connect living to landscape

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
each level maximizes views of the Douro River

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
the project bridges memory and modern living

renovated porto residence reimagines hillside terraces with stepped concrete layers
a dialogue between past structures and present architecture

 

project info:

 

name: Monte dos Judeus
architects: António Bessa Cruz Architects | @antoniobessacruz_architects + José Carlos Cruz Arquitecto | @jcc_architects

location: Miragaia, Porto, Portugal

photographer: Alexander Bogorodskiy | @alexanderbogorodskiy

 

 

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