Situated behind a modernist apartment building in Porto, Portugal, the renovation of Casa Zaire by Paulo Moreira Architectures was a compact and thoughtful project. Completed in 2018, the residence was originally the caretaker's house for the main building and is tucked away from the street and urban life. The renovation reconfigured the tiny, 30-square-meter space to create a contemporary living area that prioritizes the internal connections between rooms and a sense of openness within the compact volume. Inspired by the isolated location, the architects treated the small building as an autonomous object. On the ground floor, the kitchen, a side balcony, and the stairs were strategically moved to the outer walls, which freed up the central space for a small dining area. Upstairs, the bedroom was elevated on a custom-designed platform, creating valuable storage space underneath. This clever use of vertical space helps to maximize the cabin's limited footprint. The interior palette is a creative mix of old and new materials. The architects chose to keep the original black-and-white tiled flooring on the ground floor despite its worn look, lending character and a sense of history. This is contrasted with modern interventions, such as powder-blue kitchen cabinets and white subway tiles in a herringbone pattern. Other material choices, like wood countertops and simple wooden stair treads, further enhance the feeling of warmth and comfort. Project credits Architecture: Paulo Moreira Architectures Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio Builder: Obrik