#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
The Bohemian ROSA ET AL Townhouse in Porto, Portugal
Right in the heart of Porto's artistic district, not far from the city’s premier art-gallery strip, is the up-and-coming Rua do Rosário, a road peppered with little vintage and indie design stores.
This is also the location of ROSA ET AL, a hip urban refuge occupying an exquisitely restored townhouse that opened its doors in August 2012. The brainchild of owners Patricia and Emanuel de Sousa (architect Emanuel de Sousa oversaw the ROSA ET AL Townhouse restoration), the discreet guesthouse sits next to once-faded townhouses that are now being brought back to life with promising designers, upscale food shops and exciting concept stores that are moving into the surrounding area.
Outside, only a small marking on the door gives any indication of what awaits inside: a 19th century building upgraded with modern luxury features in a fresh space that truly respects its past. Once inside, next to the tiny reception, guests and visitors can buy goods from the specialty store that sells Portuguese wines, gourmet products and a selection of design books, while further inside there is also a coffee shop and restaurant as well as an outdoor patio and garden area where ROSA ET AL’s special Bazaar Brunch is served, based on organic, locally-sourced fresh ingredients and home-made dishes.
Homey and unconventional, ROSA ET AL consists of just 6 spacious veranda suites where original wooden beams, plasterwork ceilings and preserved architectural details are combined harmoniously with mid-century furniture by design legends of the likes of Jean Prouvé, Hans Wegner, and Charles and Ray Eames. Set against a backdrop of natural materials, wooden floors and white walls, the perfect canvas is provided for the different decades of interior design that blends together vintage, modern and contemporary details.
{Yatzer Tip} This summer, ROSA ET AL is expanding with two additional accommodation options. Guests will soon be able to stay at the Garden Pavillion, ideal for those who want to be close to nature, or the Serviced Loft, a bright, one-bedroom modern apartment right in the heart of Porto’s historical centre.
About the Designer
Emanuel de Sousa is an award-winning Portuguese architect, who has worked with Steven Erlich, Peter Eisenman and Carvalho Araújo. His style is all about natural luxury, an evolving theme that primarily comes out from the building and the project itself, thus, open to a range of complementary sub-styles. His ROSA ET AL Townhouse architectural project has been awarded with the 'Respect for Architecture 2012 Porto' award by the Portuguese Ordem dos Arquitectos, and at the IX Bienal Ibero - Americana Rosario Argentina 2014 in the Portuguese Architecture Selection.
