Vincci Lisboa Hotel

Located in the heart of Lisbon’s historic centre the building comprises a 4-star hotel with 62 rooms and 4 suites. The area is known as the Baixa Pombalina quarter as it was rebuilt under the direction of the prime minister Marquês de Pombal after the earthquake of 1755.

This particular area was not reclaimed land but it was close to a swamp and its 18^th century woodpile foundations have been preserved in a very sensitive and precarious balance amidst the muddy debris of the earthquake. The buildings result from what is arguably one of the first European attempts to design an anti-seismic structure. This anticipated the standardization process of the American “balloon frame” by over a century. Therefore, only minimal changes to the structure and building layout were acceptable.

Part of a street block, the scheme comprises two buildings facing the parallel streets of São Julião and Comércio. These are connected at ground floor level, where common areas, facilities, reception and other services are located.

Given that most of the existing walls were maintained, it was an interesting process to adjust the Enlightened and rationalist matrix of Pombaline architecture to the requirements of a contemporary hotel. In terms of interior design, the design attempts to convey a quasi-voyeuristic unveiling of what would be a contemporary interpretation of the domesticity of a late 70s Lisbon home (the last active occupants of this Pombaline quarter), with its somewhat bizarre mixture of bubble chandeliers, Formica furniture, wood veneers and tiles. Unfortunately promontorio’s interior design concept, as well as significant details of the original project, were changed at the client’s discretion.