The complex consists of a single building composed of two volumes, connected by exterior walkways on every floor and by an interior garden at the first-floor level. On the ground floor, the building forms two public passageways, maintaining pedestrian connectivity between the two adjacent streets.

The footprint of the building integrates into the continuity of the previously fragmented urban morphology on one side while in on the opposite side it opens onto a new urban space, establishing itself as a contemporary front. Its alignment follows the former route of the Ribeira dos Banhos Régios, a historical watercourse once flowing from the upper part of Coimbra and now buried beneath the city.

The residential program rises above the ground floor. Two main entrances in the ground floor, distributes the vertical connection inside the whole building. From here, an open gallery distributes the residential units across all floors, creating new paradigm in the idea of a common space. Space for dialogue and shared public life.

Every unit presented apertures in the internal private courtyard, benefitting from the mild climate generated by the interior garden. The organization and orientation of two distinct volumes generate a natural airflow, driven by the river breeze, creating a chimney effect due to the building’s height.

The residential layout is based on an open-plan concept, with minimal walls and no corridors, promoting a seamless spatial flow. To achieve this, a primary structural grid of 8×9 and 8×11 metres was implemented. This grid offers flexibility for future residents, allowing them to adapt the layout to their individual needs. The project features two main unit typologies, with slight variations according to its position in the building.

On the south-facing side, the first typology places the service areas (kitchen and bathroom) on the central core, while the surrounding living spaces are arranged to maximise natural light.
On the north-facing side, the units begin with a hallway that connects all areas, both service and living spaces, in a more linear configuration. The toilets are conceived as off-site construction units, maximising cost efficiency in both production and on-site installation.

On the second floor, this private garden is conceived as an echo of the alluvial deposits that once flowed from the Ribeira dos Banhos Régios into the Mondego River. This space likely corresponds also to the historical location of the former roman Porto dos Oleiros, the old docks of Coimbra.

The reshaped topography provides ideal conditions for cultivating a variety of native vegetation, carefully selected to reflect the typical flora of the Mondego River’s riparian galleries, with a focus on species adapted to shaded environments. Taller plants are placed on higher ground, with height and density gradually decreasing as soil depth becomes more limited.