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Locke de Santa Joana room

Post Company and Lázaro Rosa-Violàn turn 17th-century convent into Lisbon hotel

Design studios Post Company and Lázaro Rosa-Violàn have combined historic features and contemporary touches for the Locke de Santa Joana hotel on the site of a convent in Lisbon, Portugal.

A 17th-century convent building has been renovated and integrated alongside newly constructed additions to form part of the hotel.

Old convent building with mosaic tiles Lisbon
The Locke de Santa Joana hotel occupies a 17th-century convent in Lisbon

American studio Post Company designed the interiors of the rooms, while Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violàn oversaw the design of the hotel's public spaces.

Locke de Santa Joana is the latest and biggest property from Locke Hotels – set across nine floors, it contains 370 units comprised of hotel rooms, apartments and suites, as well as a range of public spaces.

Bedroom with archways and pillars Locke Lisbon
The studios refined and highlighted existing architectural details

"The hotel was originally a convent built in the 1600s – in designing the rooms, we wanted to marry this rich history with the contemporary culture of Lisbon," Post Company partner Jou-Yie Chou told Dezeen.

While the rooms' interiors are largely clean and minimal, Post Company refined and highlighted architectural features including archways, pillars and mouldings.

"We wanted to create a dialogue between the rooms' architectural 'bones' and their interiors," said Chou.

Green chair in minimal interior by Post Company
Contemporary furniture and lighting elements were added to the rooms

These historic details were complemented with modern furniture, lighting fixtures and decorative elements added in natural tones.

"Chairs in the kitchens and living spaces have a clear foundation in pews or church furniture, but still read as modern," said Chou.

"Mohair and boucle upholstered furniture in sinuous shapes lend geometric friction, while clean, minimal millwork is softened by over-stuffed textiles," Chou continued.

Fabrics, ceramics and stone finishes were sourced from the surrounding area, including rugs and textiles from local makers, as well as a Portuguese stone, Rose Aurora, for the washbasins and a local limestone for the bathroom floors.

Suite with wood partition wall Locke Lisbon
Glass and wood partitions were used to divide spaces within suite-style rooms

Each suite-style room has its own living area and burnt orange kitchenette alongside a bedroom, which was divided using a glass and wood partition screen.

"Glass and wood partitions provide design interest and functionality all at once," said Chou.

"They offer both privacy and room definition, creating a residential feel while still allowing light to permeate the room."

Cafe table inside Locke de Santa Joana
Lázaro Rosa-Violàn oversaw the design of the public spaces including a cafe

Public spaces within the hotel include restaurants, cafes, bars, a co-working and meeting space, as well as a gallery to display pieces found during the renovation of the convent.

There is also a courtyard pool at the centre of the hotel, framed by dark wooden decking.

Oversized terracotta pots and sofa with mosaic tiles
Terracotta pots and mosaic tiles were incorporated throughout the hotel's interior

Lázaro Rosa-Violàn continued the natural, rustic colour palette of terracotta, yellows, greens and blues used in the rooms for the shared spaces.

"We tried to evoke warm, contemporary spaces while still taking inspiration from the colour tones of the existing architectural elements," studio founder Lázaro Rosa-Violàn told Dezeen.

Archway with mosaic tiles leading to bar area
Blue and white mosaic tiles were intended to reference the hotel's location in Portugal

Ceramics feature heavily throughout the hotel, with large plant-filled terracotta pots and mosaic tiles traditionally associated with Lisbon lining the walls and tabletops.

"When talking about Lisbon, the first thing that comes to mind is the distinctive tiles adorning the city's buildings," said Rosa-Violàn.

"We've incorporated this element in a modern and contemporary way, combining them with rich textures, patterns, natural materials and colourful fabrics, accentuating the historical architecture."

Since its first location opened in 2016, Locke has expanded to include 17 sites across the UK and mainland Europe.

Other Locke Hotels recently featured on Dezeen include Locke am Platz in Zurich and Locke at East Side Gallery in Berlin.

The photography is courtesy of Locke Hotels.

More images

Mosaic tiles on table in bedroom Portugal hotel
Bedroom with archways and pillars Lisbon
Archway with green and beige chairs below
Archways and pillar features Locke Lisbon
Bedroom leading through to living space Locke
Mezzanine room with arched ceiling and gold light
Glass and wood screen dividing living space from bed
Suite room with living space and bedroom
Archways and burnt orange kitchenette in hotel room
Orange kitchenette in rooms by Post Company
Washbasin made from Portuguese stone and arched mirror
Earthy pink walls and Portuguese stone in bathroom Locke hotel
Gallery space with orange tiles
Circular bar area Lisbon hotel
Chairs below archway Lisbon
Wooden tables and modern lighting fixtures Locke de Santa Joana
Oversized ceramic pots and sofas
Bright orange chair and oversized pots
Pool with decking area convent hotel Lisbon
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Arched mezzanine leading to rooms
Old 17th-century convent building for hotel Portugal
Mosaic tiles lining walls of old convent entrance
Blue and white mosaic tiles inside old convent
Old and new parts of Locke Lisbon hotel intersecting
Newly constructed part of Locke de Santa Joana hotel