Lisbon’s north bank of the Tagus River has a new residential project that puts brick front and center. Portuguese studio António Costa Lima Arquitectos has completed Praia do Bom Sucesso, three homes set behind the preserved facade of an old warehouse in a neighborhood shaped by industry.
From the street, the design keeps a “harder and opaque” face that aligns with the historic openings and character along Rua da Praia do Bom Sucesso. On the south side, the massing opens up, trading solidity for glazing, balconies, and terraces shaded by metal louvres. Architect António Costa Lima described the move as a gradual “decomposition” of the building volume, creating a clear difference between the two elevations.
The deep site is organized into two gabled volumes wrapped around three courtyards. Glazing and perforated brickwork help pull daylight into the homes, turning outdoor voids into light sources for interior rooms and corridors. Plans include ground-floor patios and garages, with lower-level living areas and northern zones housing two en-suite bedrooms.
Inside, a weathered steel stair leads to the first floor, where perforated brick walls line circulation routes connecting living, dining, and kitchen spaces. A central glazed light well further boosts daylight, while more modest historic openings serve the more private north-facing rooms. Exposed brickwork and brown steel continue indoors, paired with timber floors and partially suspended white walls that catch light from clerestory windows.
For contractors, projects like this highlight where brickwork earns its keep beyond looks. Exposed and perforated brick surfaces raise the bar on layout, clean mortar execution, and consistent coursing because there’s nowhere to hide variation. They also make transitions critical, especially at glazing lines, balcony edges, and steel interfaces where flashing, drainage, and sealant continuity need to be planned early so the brick stays durable and the interiors stay dry.
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