EM Apartment is a triplex hidden in the narrow streets of Lisbon.
With an existing intricate interior layout and structure, the aim of the project was to define the spaces properly, connecting them to the views of the city.
The first level is occupied with the common areas – living and dining room with an open kitchen – and the second and third floors are occupied with private rooms, with the master suite being on the last floor, opening to the view of downtown Lisbon.
While the structure of the apartment was hidden in the existing stairs and false ceiling, it would never be possible to guess these were all misaligned.
It was from this problem that the concept of the aesthetics of the renovation was born.
While dividing the spaces in the living and dining room there was an opportunity to connect a column and a beam with an arc – relating these elements with the existing window openings on the facade. The arc became the main character of the room and spread through the whole apartment.
The stairs began to curve, the carpentries were ornamented as an allusion to the past and the mirrors had no corners anymore.
Project Info
Architects: Nuno Nascimento Arquitectos
Area: 2368 ft²
Year: 2021
Country: Lisbon, Portugal
Photographs: Francisco Nogueira
Manufacturers: Ergi, Hager, MICROCRETE, Ofa, Sanitana
Lead Architects: Nuno Nascimento
Collaborating Architects: Ricardo Guerreiro, Mattia Caccin
Contractor: HouseMakeup




















Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.
