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We do tend to admire the work of Lisbon-based architectural practice Aires Mateus, and it’s no surprise upon seeing how beautiful their own office is – how could you not be creatively stimulated coming to work here everyday! Set in a restored home on residential street Cecílio de Sousa, the office offers new interpretations of historical architectural elements with contemporary and practical additions.

Architectural photographer Rui Cardoso, whose images are featured here, worked out of the Atelier Cecílio office for almost two years. Having shot the building both while it was under construction and when it was complete, he gave us a little further insight as to his interpretations of the space.

“The fact of having worked on that space/building every day allowed me to slowly perceive its character and the way the light shaped and changed spaces during the day. This was a slow process but a very rewarding one because you are able to understand and you are more aware of the architecture and its fine details over a long period, which, in my opinion, is very helpful when you want to capture it in images,” says Cardoso.

Related: Interview: Portuguese Architectural Photographer Rui Cardoso.

The personal workspace and meeting room of the firm’s founder Manuel Aires Mateus is quite literally a work of art, the walls and ceilings covered in opulent murals and mouldings that almost look worthy of a room in Versailles.

According to Cardoso, “This specific space is Manuel’s workspace and meeting room and it is absolutely beautiful, you feel time has stopped.”

Unsurprisingly, Cardoso says the Aires Mateus team were pretty excited by their new digs. “I simply went there because I didn’t know the space and everyone in the studio was talking about it and I simply fell in love with it, with its history and fresco paintings, you feel like you are in a palace!”

A small garden and pool tiled with natural stone feels like a miniature oasis and, according to Cardoso, was the ideal hangout spot for after work parties come Friday. Organic modern furnishings, a monastic white spiral staircase and workstations equipped with an architect’s technical necessities temper the ornateness of the preserved historical rooms. Cardoso says this palpable contrast is one of his favourite aspects of the project.

“One of the things I like the most in this building is the feeling of two different historical times you have. In one hand you feel and understand its history throughout the spaces, throughout the woodwork, the scale, everything connects harmoniously and in the other hand you have the appropriation of space with new furniture. You can clearly feel old and new cohabit side by side intimately.”

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