A modern, minimalistic living room featuring a beige sectional sofa, wooden chairs, and a coffee table, with large windows letting in natural light.

Vault Apartment: Studio Gameiro Reimagines Lisbon’s History in a Contemporary Context

Words by Eric David

Lisbon, Portugal

Commissioned to renovate a three-bedroom apartment on Lisbon’s Rua de São Bento, a quiet street near the Portuguese parliament, local multidisciplinary design practice Studio Gameiro drew inspiration from the street’s history, particularly the Arch of São Bento that once stood here. Originally part of the Águas Livres Aqueduct, an 18th-century engineering marvel that supplied the city’s water, the stone arch, which now resides in another square, served as both a literal and metaphorical foundation for the project, informing the spatial flow of the apartment as well as guiding its material palette and visual language. From arched portals and curved ceilings to custom-designed tables, sconces and sinks that fuse traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, every detail pays homage to the aqueduct’s remarkable legacy masterfully filtered through the Studio’s signature aesthetic of soulful minimalism.

A modern dining room featuring a marble table with an X-shaped wooden base and upholstered chairs, illuminated by a sleek pendant light.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A cozy living space featuring a soft beige sofa, a rustic wooden coffee table, textured rug, and minimalist black wall art.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A modern living room with a plush beige sofa, wooden coffee table, two brown armchairs, and soft lighting, featuring minimalistic decor.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Bright, minimalist living room featuring a beige sofa, two dark chairs, a wooden coffee table, and a TV against a light wall.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A minimalist dining area featuring a large wooden table with an 'X' base, surrounded by wooden chairs, and a bowl of fruit centerpiece.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A serene hallway with smooth beige walls, arched doorways, and a dark vase containing pampas grass. Soft lighting creates a warm ambiance.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Throughout the apartment, arched forms are integrated into structural and aesthetic elements, from the vaulted corridors that connect the social areas with the private quarters through to wall niches and doorways. In conjunction with the monochromatic palette of beige tones, these features evoke the aqueduct’s architecture facilitating smooth transitions between rooms, akin to the gentle flow of water guided by the historic stone-built structure.

  • Minimalist dining area with three wooden chairs around a round table, illuminated by a sleek pendant light in a softly curved space.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A cozy dining nook features a round white table with a small plate of pastries, surrounded by two wooden chairs and soft beige curtains.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Warm wooden chairs surround a circular white table, complemented by soft drapery and a minimalist pendant light above.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A minimalist dining area featuring a round white table, two wooden chairs, and a stylish yellow pendant light overhead.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Modern kitchen with a beige color palette, sleek cabinetry, a stone island, a gas stove, and wooden stools, featuring a brass range hood.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

The choice of materials further underscores the project’s connection to Lisbon’s history. Moleanos limestone, used for the kitchen countertops, arches, and bathroom fixtures, pays homage to the aqueduct’s enduring stone structure, while brass accents, subtly incorporated in handles and light fittings, nod to the industrial elements that once adorned the aqueduct tunnels. Lime plaster walls and ceilings and refurbished hardwood floors serve to enhance the scheme’s textural richness and ascetic sensibility.

A modern kitchen with a minimalist design, featuring a stone sink, a book on a stand, and decorative items on a wooden shelf.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Modern kitchen featuring a light-toned island with a gas stove, wooden stools, and minimalist design elements.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Modern kitchen featuring earthy tones, a stone island, wooden stools, and minimalistic cabinetry with a sleek hood above the stove.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Key to the project’s seamless fusion of past and present is Studio Gameiro’s custom-designed built-in elements and furniture. Crafted in collaboration with local artisans and makers, and paired with restored vintage pieces, the apartment’s bespoke furnishings strike a harmonious balance between the project’s historic inspiration and its modern reinterpretation. In the living room, a pair of armchairs designed by José Cruz de Carvalho for Altamira dating back to the 1960s are complemented by a bespoke marble fireplace and timber coffee table while in the adjacent dining area a travertine-topped dining table supported by a solid iroko wood base is paired with restored chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, also from the 1960s.

In the airy and light-filled kitchen, Moleanos stone surfaces, brass details, including a suspended extraction hood, and concealed storage, comprise a minimalist space that is both practical and elegant. A breakfast corner featuring a trio of Daumiller armchairs by Gubi serves as a casual yet sophisticated counterpoint to the formal dining area.

A minimalist wooden table with a stone top, positioned in a light, neutral-toned corner with two books resting on it.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A softly lit, minimalist hallway with arched ceiling, wooden floor, and a vase of dried plants at the end. Simple and serene ambiance.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A serene, minimalistic bedroom with a large bed, neutral tones, and arched doorway, featuring soft pillows and a hanging lamp.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A minimalist bedroom featuring a light color palette, built-in wardrobes, and an inviting bed, with an arched entryway visible.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Cozy bedroom corner featuring a minimalist lamp, textured pillows, and a candle holder atop stacked materials. Warm, neutral tones create serenity.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A minimalist beige wardrobe with two round wooden knobs, adjacent to a softly colored bedspread.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A contemporary closet with sliding doors, revealing a neatly organized bathroom with shelves and a towel hanging, suggesting minimalism.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Modern bathroom featuring a beige plaster wall, a sleek mirror, a stone sink, and minimal decor on a floating shelf.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A modern bathroom sink with a stone countertop, black faucets, a small mirror, and a hanging white towel. Soft, warm lighting.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A modern bathroom with warm tones, featuring open doors illuminating a hallway, minimalist decor, and sleek fixtures.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A partially opened door with elegant brass knobs, revealing a softly lit room beyond, creating a sense of invite and warmth.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Accessed via the vaulted corridor, the private quarters are equally compelling in their minimalist design, culminating in the master suite—a space defined by its cinematic scale, featuring a triangular anteroom and an ensuite bathroom discreetly accessed through a concealed door in the wardrobe. Here, as elsewhere in the apartment, light plays a crucial role: abundant natural daylight fills the space during the day, giving way to an ambient glow in the evening, reminiscent of the aqueduct tunnels’ atmospheric illumination. Craftsmanship is also a central focus, with custom-designed stone bathroom sinks that echo the form and functionality of the aqueduct’s historic basins.

Details such as these make the apartment feel both timeless and modern, as well as attest to the Studio’s ability to honour tradition while pushing the boundaries of design. The result is a space where history is not merely preserved but reimagined, where the past informs the present in unexpected and inspiring ways.

Minimalist interior featuring beige walls, an arched doorway, a modern floor lamp, artwork, and a decorative chair with a plant.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A narrow, warmly lit hallway with an arched door at the end, featuring smooth walls and wooden flooring. Three cylindrical light fixtures above.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A serene hallway with arched ceilings, light wooden flooring, and minimalist doors, accentuated by soft lighting.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A softly lit hallway features smooth, beige walls, a wooden floor, and a vibrant orange artwork framed on the end wall.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A softly lit hallway with two open doors, wooden flooring, and an abstract orange artwork on the far wall.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A cozy bedroom with a neatly made bed, light-toned walls, minimalistic furniture, and a figure seen walking through an open door.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Bright bedroom with double doors opening to a balcony, featuring a colorful decorative pole and minimalist furniture.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • A minimalist bedroom with a cozy bed and two white pillows, featuring a wooden side table and a door in soft, neutral tones.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Minimalist bedroom with a double bed, large windows, and a view of a balcony, featuring neutral tones and decorative plants.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Cozy bedroom featuring a plaid blanket, minimalist decor, and dried plants beside a window open to a balcony view.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

  • Cozy bedroom with a white bed, plaid blanket, wooden side tables, and decorative dried flowers against a beige wall.

    Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

A minimalist archway with smooth, beige walls and a simple wooden wall sconce centered within the arch.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.

Modern bathroom featuring a minimalist design with a textured stone sink, black fixtures, and warm beige walls.

Photography by Francisco Nogueira.