Context and Challenge
This project involved the full renovation of a traditional granite house over 200 years old, built into a hillside in the Minho region. Over time, the building had undergone multiple interventions with no constructive coherence, lacking adequate thermal insulation or waterproofing.
The main challenge was to restore the original character of the house and give it aesthetic coherence, comfort and contemporary functionality, without compromising its historic identity.
Before Renovation
The existing layout included a kitchen, a living room, three bedrooms, an external bathroom with no interior access, a small covered terrace, former animal stalls, storage rooms, a wine cellar, a winepress, a courtyard and support shelters.
After Renovation
Following the intervention, the house now includes an open-plan kitchen and living area, four bedrooms, two interior bathrooms, a large covered terrace overlooking the valley, exterior terraces, a laundry room, a plant room, a porch and a garage with storage space.
Intervention Strategy
The intervention focused on the structural and constructive restoration of the building. All renders and paint applied over the original stonework were removed, leaving the granite exposed, clean and with treated joints. The existing oak timber joists were retained, along with other original timbers, reused in doors, hatches and gates.
Comfort and Infrastructure
Waterproofing and drainage solutions were installed in the walls in contact with the hillside, along with floors with drainage cavities and ventilated cavity walls. All technical services were fully renewed and the windows were replaced with double-glazed lacquered aluminium frames.
Spatial Organisation
The interior reorganisation allowed for the creation of an interior bathroom and the integration of an open-plan kitchen and living area. The covered terrace was oriented to take advantage of the views and can be enclosed in winter for year-round use.
