ZERO Box Lodge Porto
In Porto, in northern Portugal, there is a building from 1883, which previously housed the textile factory for shirts "Confiança," and where in 1896, director Aurélio da Paz dos Reis (1862-1931) filmed the very first Portuguese movie capturing workers exiting the factory on Rua de Santa Catarina; now, it is home to short-term accommodation.
ZERO Box Lodge is neither a hotel nor a hostel, but a completely new type of accommodation where the rooms are intentionally separated and designed for maximum guest relaxation. The building features a narrow street facade and a deep layout, where there is a lack of natural daylight. This depth of the existing structure led to a reassessment of the way of inhabitation. The architect decided to preserve the original structure as well as the front facade. In contrast, the top floor and flat roof underwent significant reconstruction.
The inspiration for ZERO Box Lodge was the Japanese model of accommodation known as "capsule hotels," which has been adapted to a Western environment. In the Japanese approach, sleeping is seen merely as a pragmatic necessity; the spaces are stripped of all amenities, with the main purpose being to ensure quality moments of rest at any time of the day. Given this, the absence of natural light was perceived as a positive factor.
In the European context, the capsules have transformed into larger spaces with built-in bathrooms, double bedrooms, ensuring comfort and privacy. The deliberate lack of equipment remains to encourage visitors to gather outside the capsules in large communal areas that provide additional services.
On the ground floor, there is a bar with a restaurant that is publicly accessible, promoting the natural mingling of guests with surrounding visitors and residents of Porto. The interior is furnished with second-hand furniture that brings comfort to the entry spaces. Contemporary artworks are also incorporated into the interior, such as hand-painted tiles by artist Paulo Ramunni or a carpet designed by Diogo Muñoz depicting famous scenes from churches in Porto. In the entry level of ZERO Box Lodge, you will also find a glass-walled copy of one of the accommodation units, which serves for art installations that change several times a year.
On the top fifth floor, there is a restaurant with a bar, where breakfast is served in the mornings, among other things. At the back, there is a small cinema, and all these rooms open up to the surroundings through large sliding windows.
At the very top is a terrace overlooking the rooftops of Porto and the water reservoirs, where you can cool off.
ZERO Box Lodge is neither a hotel nor a hostel, but a completely new type of accommodation where the rooms are intentionally separated and designed for maximum guest relaxation. The building features a narrow street facade and a deep layout, where there is a lack of natural daylight. This depth of the existing structure led to a reassessment of the way of inhabitation. The architect decided to preserve the original structure as well as the front facade. In contrast, the top floor and flat roof underwent significant reconstruction.
The inspiration for ZERO Box Lodge was the Japanese model of accommodation known as "capsule hotels," which has been adapted to a Western environment. In the Japanese approach, sleeping is seen merely as a pragmatic necessity; the spaces are stripped of all amenities, with the main purpose being to ensure quality moments of rest at any time of the day. Given this, the absence of natural light was perceived as a positive factor.
In the European context, the capsules have transformed into larger spaces with built-in bathrooms, double bedrooms, ensuring comfort and privacy. The deliberate lack of equipment remains to encourage visitors to gather outside the capsules in large communal areas that provide additional services.
On the ground floor, there is a bar with a restaurant that is publicly accessible, promoting the natural mingling of guests with surrounding visitors and residents of Porto. The interior is furnished with second-hand furniture that brings comfort to the entry spaces. Contemporary artworks are also incorporated into the interior, such as hand-painted tiles by artist Paulo Ramunni or a carpet designed by Diogo Muñoz depicting famous scenes from churches in Porto. In the entry level of ZERO Box Lodge, you will also find a glass-walled copy of one of the accommodation units, which serves for art installations that change several times a year.
On the top fifth floor, there is a restaurant with a bar, where breakfast is served in the mornings, among other things. At the back, there is a small cinema, and all these rooms open up to the surroundings through large sliding windows.
At the very top is a terrace overlooking the rooftops of Porto and the water reservoirs, where you can cool off.
Gonçalo Queirós Carvalho
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
