Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos add curving white staircase to a remodelled Portuguese apartment
A sculptural white staircase links a geometric tiled foyer to the upper floor of this remodelled apartment by Porto-based studio Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos (+ slideshow).
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos renovated and merged two floors of a 1990s apartment block in Braga, north-west Portugal, to create the 375-square-metre duplex for a family.
The architects partially demolished the upper floor slab to insert a double-height hallway in the centre of the floor plan that would accommodate a new internal stairwell for the flat.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
The U-shaped staircase with thick white balustrades and wooden treads leads from a tiled living space on the lower floor to three bedrooms and bathrooms on the upper storey of the apartment.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"The stair is the unifying element of both floors and the focal point of the entire apartment," the architects told Dezeen.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
"It was thought of as a sculptural element, a focal point and at the same time the distribution element of the house, defining on the upper floor a balcony over the two-storey-high hall."
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
The balcony overlooks a hand-made tiled floor with a tessellated pattern that "introduces texture" to the white-walled space.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
"The idea was to introduce a unifying element that would also bring a sense of depth and tridimensionality. At the same time, it needed be comfortable and be of simple maintenance as the clients have young children," said the architects.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
The patterned floor tiles spread across the lower floor, which comprises a kitchen with stainless steel units, utility room and guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom to one side of the entrance hall.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
On the other side, an open-plan living and dining area with white walls and black cupboards and book shelves has large glazed doors that provide access to a decked terrace.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
In the foyer, black wooden panels conceal storage areas against the back wall of the stairwell that contrast with the white micro-cement finish of the walls and staircase.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
"The entire apartment was designed taking into consideration the characteristics of the materials that were chosen to create a game of volumes, light and dark," said the architects.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
At the top of the stairs a corridor with warm-toned wooden floorboards leads to the left to a master suite comprised of four separate spaces – a reading room and gym, bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and a pale tiled bathroom with a glass shower surround and a freestanding white oval bath tub.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
To the right of the staircase there are two smaller bedrooms with wooden floors, grey cupboards and access to a balcony. Each of the rooms has its own glass and mirror-lined bathroom.
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-Correia-Ragazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Photography is by Luis Ferreira Alves.
Project credits:
Architects: Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos
Collaborators: Diogo Nogueira, Francesca Gramegna, Hugo Natário, Rita Breda
Structure and foundation engineering: AB Projectos
Hydraulic engineering: AB Projectos
Technical facilities engineering: GET
Electrical engineering: Raul Serafim & Associados
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-CorreiaRagazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_01.gif)
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-CorreiaRagazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_04.gif)
![Apartamento Em Braga by Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/Apartamento-Em-Braga-by-CorreiaRagazzi-Arquitectos_dezeen_05.gif)