- Interior
Merely inches away from the lush greenery of Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, this townhouse has been thoughtfully reimagined as a tranquil urban retreat. Originally divided into separate apartments and later combined into a single residence, the building did not feel personal or domestic, lacking warmth and definition. The recent transformation shifts the atmosphere of this residence entirely. It is now a layered and welcoming family home, where proportion, tactile materials, and softened light create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and quietly elegant.
The project was led by McLean Quinlan, the award-winning studio established by Fiona McLean in 1982. With roots in London and Winchester, the studio is celebrated for creating homes that feel deeply considered and enduring. They centre on warmth, material integrity, and atmospheric light, drawing inspiration from local context and vernacular traditions. Because of this, their architecture feels both contemporary and timeless. Sustainability is deeply embedded in their process, shaping material choices and performance from the outset. Most importantly, their approach is deeply personal, resulting in spaces that feel authentic, personal, and designed to support the rhythms of everyday life. 
Restoring scale was fundamental to the transformation. A sculptural, gently curving terrace now extends from the first-floor kitchen and dining spaces, creating a smooth connection to the garden below. The terrace establishes an effortless movement between inside and out and allows the living spaces to fully engage with the surrounding greenery. At the far end of the garden, a timber-lined pool house nestles among foliage, drawing the landscape into the experience of the home. 
Lowered ceilings introduce moments of intimacy, while a reimagined staircase clad in wide Douglas Fir boards and vertical timber slats add warmth and continuity between levels.
Creating a sense of openness on the inside of the residence was crucial for this project. Freestanding walls and bespoke joinery, from integrated benches to finely crafted storage, gently divide spaces without compromising light. Lowered ceilings introduce moments of intimacy, while a reimagined staircase clad in wide Douglas Fir boards and vertical timber slats add warmth and continuity between levels. This leads to a newly created wellness level, complete with a gym, sauna, steam room and spa, opening directly onto the garden and extending the home beyond the conventional living spaces. 
Throughout the house, a restrained and natural palette brings a sense of cohesion and quiet sophistication. Natural wall plaster, applied like a continuous ribbon, catches and diffuses light with its subtle texture. Soft white stone flooring introduces brightness underfoot, while traditional Portuguese tiles add depth to the space. Concealed lighting and carefully positioned wall lamps keep the ceilings free from visual clutter, allowing soft curves and filtered daylight to shape an atmosphere that is both elegant and deeply comforting. All these elements create a home perfectly suited for family life.
Photography by Jim Stephenson
Text by Ellen De Meyer