![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_1.jpg)
Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos
The living room of this apartment renovated by Portuguese architect Tiago Filipe Santos opens onto a tiered courtyard garden.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_3.jpg)
Named Arroios Apartment, the residence occupies a long narrow space on the ground floor of a typical Lisbon apartment block.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_4.jpg)
Behind the living room, open doorways lead through to a dining room and kitchen behind, while bedrooms are arranged in a row beyond.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_2.jpg)
The white walls that enclose the courtyard match those inside the apartment, creating the impression that this external space is just another room.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_10.jpg)
You can see more projects from Portugal here, including an apartment with a yellow wall of storage and a house with a huge hole in the roof.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_6.jpg)
Photography is by Invisible Gentleman.
Here's a short description of the project sent by the photographer:
14| arroios apartment
TYPOLOGY
The apartment is part of a typical Lisbon old building.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_7.jpg)
It’s long proportion produces a set of spaces on which the presence of natural light is the main challenge.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_16.jpg)
COURTYARD/GARDEN
The apartment is refurbished having the courtyard/garden as a central area that is totally open to the living room and adjacent spaces.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_17.jpg)
The courtyard is the main source of natural light for the apartment.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_19.jpg)
CONTINUOUS SPACES
The continuity and flow between the common spaces of the apartment (living room, dining room and kitchen) is clearly felt by the absence of doors be- tween these spaces.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_20.jpg)
Transitions are felt by in-built furniture or by the memory of ancient doors.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_21.jpg)
ROOMS
The 3 bedrooms are redesigned and functionally more adequate to modern needs. The master bedroom becomes a suite with the private bathroom and the in-built closet.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_22.jpg)
CLOSETS AND MULTIPLE STORAGE AREAS
Closets and unexpected areas of storage are in-built as a solution that optimizes space and takes close attention to every “dead” area in the apartment.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_23.jpg)
MODERN GLAZING
New windows area brought in to improve the acoustic and thermal conditions of the apartment.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_24.jpg)
HEATING
In-built natural gas heating system improves the thermal efficiency of the apartment.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_25.gif)
EXTERIOR NATURAL WOOD DECK
The exterior natural wood deck is the perfect place for long afternoons and late evenings with friends and family.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_26.gif)
COURTYARD/GARDEN POSSIBILITIES
The remaining area of the courtyard is open to be used for a green lawn or blue pool.
![Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos Arroios Apartment by Tiago Filipe Santos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/03/dezeen_Arroios-Apartment-by-Tiago-Filipe-Santos_27.gif)
Architect: Tiago Filipe Santos
Function: housing
Localization: Arroios, Lisbon Portugal
Client: private
Year: 2010/2011
Built area: 90 sqm
Garden area: 45 sqm