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Ana Louisa Soares

Ana Luisa Soares is a Portuguese architect and co-founder of Fala Atelier, an architectural firm based in Oporto.[1] She began her architectural journey in a small town near Porto called Marcos de Canaveses, where her early exposure to construction and architecture sparked her interest in the field.[2]

Early Life and Education

She completed her master of architecture at FAUP (Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto) in 2007 and participated in an exchange program at Tokyo University in 2012.[1][3] Before establishing her own practice, Ana Luisa gained professional experience by collaborating with international architecture offices, including Harry Gugger Studio in Basel in 2011 and Toyo Ito & Associates in Tokyo in 2012.[4][3]

Career

Academic Career

Ana Luisa has also been actively engaged in academia, serving as a visiting professor at various institutions such as HEAD Geneva, University of Toronto FA, TU Munich, Munster FA, and Bratislava’s Faculty of Architecture.[4]

Industry Career

In 2012, Ana Luisa co-founded Fala Atelier with Filipe Magalhães; Ahmed Belkhodja later joined the firm in 2013.[5] Fala means "informal conversation" in Portuguese, which reflects their approach to architecture.[5] The firm initially focused on interior projects and gradually expanded to encompass new construction and building projects.[6][5] Fala Atelier's early projects garnered attention online and abroad, leading to their growth as a reputable architectural practice.[6][7]

While Fala Atelier entered the field for the enjoyment it brings, the studio faces challenges in practicing in Portugal, where the impact of the economic crisis has been significant, leading to a market primarily focused on commercial refurbishments.[5] The rise in tourism has resulted in the conversion of many historic buildings into Airbnb listings, which, while providing work opportunities, has also led to a considerable loss of heritage.[5] Nevertheless, Fala Atelier thrives on refurbishment projects, using simple yet bold design moves to create spatial transformations.[5] Their design philosophy involves opening up volumes to create expansive living spaces, which are then subtly divided using techniques and languages instead of rigid boundaries.[5] Their interiors feature bright white backgrounds accentuated with vivid shades of greens and blues.[5] The studio's carefully composed illustrations of their projects are not only representational but also integral to their design process, incorporating traces of occupation and inhabitants.[5][7] Fala Atelier actively participates in architectural competitions, especially Swiss ones, where they explore more radical solutions that may inform their residential commissions.[5]

Since 2013, Ana Luisa has been associated with Fala Atelier and has contributed to the firm's lectures and teaching engagements across multiple global cities, including London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Venice, New York, Chicago, and Sydney, among others.[6][1][8]

Ana Luisa is known for her geometric and colorful aesthetic displayed in various building designs across Porto.[9]

The work of Fala Atelier has been showcased at significant architectural events such as the biennials in Venice and Chicago, as well as at the Serralves Foundation and the Pavillon de l’Arsenal in Paris.[8] For the Serralves Foundation’s “Live Uncertainty”, an exhibition exploring contemporary art’s portrayal of societal anxieties, Fala Atelier designed a folly pavilion that featured a cube-shaped structure with geometric cut-outs covered by dusky pink curtains.[10] The firm has also held solo exhibitions in Panama, Italy, Macedonia, France, and Portugal.[6]

Recognized for their achievements, Fala atelier's projects have been featured in international media outlets, such as DOMUS, l’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui, and the Architectural Review.[6]

The firm has also published '01,' a collection of their early projects, and received recognition from Rice University's spotlight award.[6][11] Additionally, DOMUS magazine acknowledged Fala Atelier as one of the 50 most relevant young architecture offices worldwide in 2020.[12]

Works

Interior-Focused Projects

Some of Fala Atelier’s initial interior-focused projects that Ana Luisa worked on are: the Príncipe Real Apartment; the transformation of an old clothing store in Porto into a real estate agency; the renovation of a 19th-century apartment in Lisbon's Chiado district; conversion of a windowless 200-square-meter garage in Lisbon; and the renovation of a fragmented 19th-century Lisbon flat.[13][14][15][16]

Príncipe Real Apartment

In 2014, The Príncipe Real Apartment, a 60-square-metre space located in downtown Lisbon, underwent a reconfiguration and renovation to address concerns with poor space utilization and organization.[17] Fala Atelier adopted a radical approach which involved removing all interior walls and introducing only two partitions to create an open-plan layout.[18] Sliding doors made of mirrored and glass panels were incorporated to connect each room to a central living and dining area, as well as to a small, enclosed balcony.[19] These doors effectively reflected light from both the north and south facades, enhancing the apartment's brightness.[18][19] By shifting the living spaces to the south side of the flat, the design capitalized on better lighting and city views from the balcony.[19] Additionally, the layout was reoriented to maximize the apartment's potential while preserving its charm and character.[20] The floor features a pattern of black and white tiles, complementing the building's decorative façade.[20] The predominantly bright white walls and ceilings serve as a neutral backdrop for the few pieces of furniture, which were positioned as independent objects within the space.[13] The successful revitalization of the Príncipe Real Apartment included creating a well-lit, open, and aesthetically pleasing living environment that maximizes the use of space while preserving its original charm.[18]

Transformation of an Old Clothing Store in Porto

Project 042 is the transformation of an old clothing store in Porto into a real estate agency.[14] Given that the building had already undergone refurbishment in the early 1990s, minimal repairs were needed, enabling Fala Atelier to focus on the addition of a few essential elements to create the new space.[14] To achieve an economical yet visually striking design, the studio opted to use different types of marble as the primary design element.[21] Grey marble was employed to craft desks, green marble was used for partitions between workstations, and black marble framed the reception desk.[14] Marble was chosen as a cost-effective material in Portugal, allowing Fala Atelier to compensate for budget constraints while creating a visually cohesive environment.[22] The choice of marble also established a connection to the agency's identity, which had a green logo matching the color of the vertical stones.[14] A bathroom, storage area, and meeting room were thoughtfully incorporated towards the back of the store.[22] A circular window not only balanced the spatial composition but also facilitated a view from the meeting room into the working area while bringing natural light into the space.[14] Illumination in the store is provided by LED lights lining the ceiling and a single round bulb suspended above the reception desk. This lighting scheme adds to the overall ambiance and functionality of the space.[14]

Renovation of a 19th-Century Apartment in Lisbon's Chiado District

Project 025 is the renovation of a 19th-century apartment in Lisbon's Chiado district faced the challenge of a fragmented layout and compromised original features due to prior incremental interventions.[23] Tasked with creating a more cohesive interior, Fala atelier preserved important authentic details, such as decorative ceiling mouldings, while removing non-original walls to simplify the layout.[23] The defining feature of the renovated space is a semi-circular wall inserted by Fala Atelier, which serves to conceal bathrooms and divide the living area from the three bedrooms.[23] This curving wall, along with variations in ceiling height and floor materials, contributes to delineating distinct spaces within the main living area. The entrance guides visitors naturally towards the living area, flowing smoothly from the small hall to the dining area and beyond, enhancing the sense of continuity. The living space consists of three distinct yet interconnected moments, creating a harmonious but multifaceted environment.[24] The kitchen is vibrantly decorated with a blue geometric floor, providing a splash of color amidst the otherwise muted furnishings.[23] In contrast, the living room features wooden flooring and a warm color scheme. The bedrooms, accessed through double doors, showcase the original mouldings, further emphasizing the historical character of the apartment. Within the semi-circular central volume, three grotto-like bathrooms are situated, characterized by rough-plaster walls and plain white fixtures.[25] Overall, Fala Atelier's intervention achieved a spatially coherent interior with a balanced blend of contrasting geometries, textures, and materials.[24] The renovation enhanced the apartment's identity while preserving and accentuating its historical elements.[23]

Conversion of a Windowless 200-square-meter Garage

Project 040 is the conversion of a windowless 200-square-meter garage in Lisbon into a bright and open-plan living space for a young couple. Fala Atelier emphasized the existing structure's strength and clarity in their design, opting for a clean and white aesthetic with abstract light.[15] The interior features an open-plan living area with two bathrooms tucked behind a curving wall.[26] Thick velvet curtains allow for the separation of different areas within the space.[27] Decorative elements were kept minimal, with white-painted walls and polished concrete floors.[28] The kitchen has a marble counter, stainless steel work surface, and a circular dining table.[27] Pot plants, soft furnishings, and fixtures introduce color into the interior, enhancing the flexible identity of the house.[23]

Renovation of a Fragmented 19th-century Lisbon Flat

Project 043 is the renovation of a fragmented 19th-century Lisbon flat, the Graça Apartments, into a spacious two-bedroom holiday home. The original apartment suffered from limited natural light and impractical outdoor facilities.[29] To optimize the 60-square-meter space, Fala Atelier introduced a subtly curved wall that separated the communal areas from the private spaces.[30] This curved wall, referred to as the "living gallery," houses the living, dining, and kitchen area, optimizing natural light and minimizing circulation space.[29] Additionally, the wall allowed for the integration of a toilet and shower room that were previously located outside.[31] The apartment's interior features hand-painted doors in various shades of blue, providing distinct access points to the bathrooms, bedrooms, and stairwell.[16] Fala Atelier chose to use marble tiling in the main areas and bathrooms, while the bedroom floors were finished with ash plywood panels.[29] The studio designed an array of furniture pieces using different types of marble resting on metal frames, including a kitchen unit, side table, shelving, and chairs.[29] The use of marble against the abstract white background creates a striking contrast, and the unique qualities of each stone add character to the space.[29] Furthermore, Fala Atelier reclaimed a small patio area at the back of the property by demolishing the outdoor bathroom, creating an outdoor space accessible from the living area and one of the bedrooms.[32] This addition, akin to a courtyard, brings a touch of nature to the second-floor apartment.[16]

New Construction and Building Projects

Some of Fala Atelier’s new construction and building projects that Ana Luisa worked on are: The Naked Apartments; Very Tiny Palazzo; Six Houses and a Garden.[33][34][35]

The Naked Apartments

A set of six minimalist apartments, termed “naked apartments”, was constructed, and designed out of a former clothing factory in Abragão, Portugal. The conversion, project 052, involved retaining the existing volume and embracing a simple design philosophy with basic materials and details.[33] The original building, intended to resemble a house, was transformed into a factory-like housing block through industrial-inspired decisions.[33] The three-story block houses a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, interconnected by a common stairwell.[33] Each apartment features a large living space with bedrooms opening onto it.[33] The clear grid layout of the interior and facade was preserved, highlighting the exposed internal concrete structure, which serves as both a visual unifier and a defining element for the arrangement.[36] The absence of residential markers provides residents with flexibility in occupying the space, making each apartment a unique home.[36] Generous windows on both sides bring natural light and a "sense of luxury" to the otherwise bare interiors.[33] Contrasting blue doors and red curtains add a touch of color to the predominantly white original structure and the green surroundings.[37] Fala Atelier aims to observe the evolution of these apartments over the years, acknowledging the project's spatial extravagance despite its minimalistic design approach.[38]

Very Tiny Palazzo

"Very Tiny Palazzo", project 050, is a garden apartment in the city of Porto designed by Fala Atelier. This 40-square-meter annex serves as a studio or guest room, nestled within a lush garden. The structure features fully glazed elevations that offer scenic views of the surrounding garden.[9] The garden apartment is characterized by its simplicity, transparency, and minimalistic finishes.[39] Its concrete roof, referred to as the "concrete crown," spans across the width of the garden and is embellished with a pink circle of Estremoz marble and small black squares of Marquita marble.[9] The interior of the apartment includes a concrete floor with a stepped change in level, creating two distinct areas that can be used as living, bedroom, or studio spaces.[35] Behind a full-height white cabinet, there is a bathroom and storage area.[40] Metal-framed sliding glass doors on both ends of the interior allow the space to be completely opened up to the garden, creating an open and pavilion-like atmosphere.[39] The design was inspired by French artist Henri Rousseau's painting "The Dream," and the garden, designed by landscape architects Oh!land studio, features lush vegetation surrounded by a stone and metal fence.[9] An informal path of wooden planks and stones connects the main home to the Very Tiny Palazzo in the center of the garden.[9]

Six Houses and a Garden

"Six Houses and a Garden," situated in Porto, Portugal, presents a harmonious blend of contrasting geometries that define both the exterior and interior spaces. The project encompasses a surface area of 190 m².[41] The landscape architecture was executed by Pomo, and the construction was carried out by Civiflanco Lda.[41] The development consists of six residences, four being identical and two unique, arranged around a communal garden.[34] The outer appearance showcases a continuous row of slender metal columns, obscuring the boundaries between individual houses.[34] The roofs of the two buildings comprise a dual layer, featuring a metal sheet overlaid with a pink undulating plane, highlighting the delicacy of the surface.[42] Inside the houses, a combination of orthogonal, diagonal, and curved lines shapes the spaces.[43] The perimeter of the rooms is slightly distorted, while the primary areas result from subtracting conflicting surfaces, housing secondary functions.[44] Thin metal poles introduce vertical tension, and circular openings connect varying spaces with diverse programs.[41] Despite their compact volume, the living rooms of the houses boast unconventional and intriguing characteristics due to the interplay of ambiguous geometries.[43] Fala Atelier employs a diverse material palette that corresponds to the complexity of these unique interiors.[41] Polished blue marble covers the floors, while the ceilings are adorned with pink hues, and rough concrete slabs define the horizontal surfaces.[41] The walls are painted white, and wooden doors, along with distinctive handles and touches of pink marble, contribute to the interplay of surfaces.[44]

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  2. ^ Livestream | AnA | Portugal Edition - Cristina Guedes & Ana Luisa Soares, retrieved 2023-07-20
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  6. ^ a b c d e f "How 3 Young Architects Founded a Firm at 25 Years Old - Architizer Journal". Journal. 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
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  10. ^ "Porto architects create five temporary gallery spaces for travelling art exhibition". Dezeen. 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
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  12. ^ "10 years, 100 female architects. 10 architect studios led by women [X] | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998". www.metalocus.es. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  13. ^ a b "Príncipe real apartment". www.domusweb.it. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Fala Atelier uses marble inside Porto estate agents". Dezeen. 2015-12-05. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  15. ^ a b "Fala Atelier converts windowless garage into home for young couple". Dezeen. 2016-12-17. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  16. ^ a b c admin (2017-06-01). "The Elongated Floorplan of Graça Apartment by Fala Atelier". Archiscene - Your Daily Architecture & Design Update. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  17. ^ https://www.facebook.com/archellocom. "Príncipe real apartment | fala atelier". Archello. Retrieved 2023-07-20. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  18. ^ a b c "Fala Atelier guts Lisbon flat to create bright open-plan home". Dezeen. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  19. ^ a b c "Príncipe Real Apartment / fala". ArchDaily. 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  20. ^ a b https://architizer.com/firms/fala-atelier. "Idea 1637302: príncipe real apartment by fala atelier in Lisbon, Portugal". Architizer. Retrieved 2023-07-20. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  21. ^ Yellowtrace, Team (2016-07-04). "Real Estate Agency in Portugal by Fala Atelier Features Marble Partitions". Yellowtrace. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  22. ^ a b "From Digital to Reality: A Comparison of FALA Atelier's Collages to the Actual Buildings". ArchDaily. 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "Fala Atelier uses curving wall for historic Lisbon flat". Dezeen. 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  24. ^ a b Future, Rethinking The (2022-07-18). "fala #025 By FALA ATELIER". RTF | Rethinking The Future. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  25. ^ Den (2016-03-14). "Chiado Apartment's Seamless "Day" Spaces by Fala Atelier". The Best design ideas for the home. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  26. ^ atelier, fala (2016-12-28). "fala atelier transforms windowless garage in lisbon into a cosy + characterful home". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  27. ^ a b Team, H. W. D. (2016-12-27). "Garage House in Lisbon / Fala Atelier". HomeWorldDesign. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  28. ^ "From garage into dwelling by Fala Atelier | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998". www.metalocus.es. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Fala Atelier adds curving wall to Lisbon apartment". Dezeen. 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  30. ^ "A gently curved wall. GRAÇA APARTMENT by Fala Atelier | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998". www.metalocus.es. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  31. ^ "Graça Apartment / fala". ArchDaily. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  32. ^ "Graça Apartment // fala atelier". archaic studio. 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "Portuguese Bare Apartment Blocks". TrendHunter.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  34. ^ a b c "Six Houses and a Garden / fala". ArchDaily. 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  35. ^ a b "When space is luxury. "A very tiny palazzo" by Fala Atelier | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998". www.metalocus.es. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  36. ^ a b Future, Rethinking The (2019-10-04). "Housing Abragão By Fala Atelier - Rethinking The Future". RTF | Rethinking The Future. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  37. ^ https://www.facebook.com/archellocom. "Housing Abragão | fala atelier". Archello. Retrieved 2023-07-20. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  38. ^ "Fala Atelier strips back former factory to create "naked" apartments". Dezeen. 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  39. ^ a b "Fala Atelier, Ivo Tavares Studio ·". Divisare. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  40. ^ "Very tiny palazzo - Cosentino Indonesia" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  41. ^ a b c d e designboom, sofia lekka angelopoulou I. (2020-07-14). "clashing geometries define fala atelier's 'six houses and a garden' project in porto". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  42. ^ "Rhythm, repetition and materials. Six houses and a garden by Fala Atelier | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998". www.metalocus.es. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  43. ^ a b https://architizer.com/firms/fala-atelier (2020-10-10). "six houses and a garden by fala atelier". Architizer. Retrieved 2023-07-20. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  44. ^ a b "fala atelier, Six houses and a garden, drawings". www.domusweb.it. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
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