Rural House | Penamacor – Portugal
The project transforms an ancient granite community oven, belonging to the client's family for decades, into a small holiday residence. The austere stone envelope is preserved and raised to generate greater volume, introducing a mezzanine that articulates the space in a contemporary, luminous and warm way, in sharp contrast with the typical darkness of rural houses in the area.
The heart of the project is the multifunctional staircase-bench-table-fireplace element, a generator of geometries and the compositional focal point of the entire space. This structural volume respectfully reinterprets Carlo Scarpa’s Olivetti showroom, defining the rhythm and verticality of the double height. The dwelling is organised as a single open-plan space at entry level, while the sleeping area occupies the mezzanine.
Natural light is carefully studied through targeted openings and skylights that enhance textures and volumes, producing perceptual variations throughout the day. The external patio recreates a small protected garden, with a pergola for outdoor dining, a stone basin and a raised corten planter. The result is a contemporary interior that respectfully dialogues with the rural memory of the place.
Year
2020
Architecture Studio
Henrique Barros-Gomes
Photography
Ricardo Oliveira Alves Photography
