The house designed in the historical center of Alcobaça is a record of overlapping times: A small building reconstructed to perpetuate the vernacular common scale, and a wall thoroughly shaped to house the quiet extension.

© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Architects: Aires Mateus

Location: 2460 Alcobaça, Portugal

Architect In Charge: Manuel & Francisco Aires Mateus

Area: 475.0 sqm

Project Year: 2011

Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Colaborators: Catarina Bello

Enginering: Betar, Ecoserviços

Constructor: Manuel Mateus Frazão

Construction Coordination: Jaime Coelho

© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
From the architect. The house designed in the historical center of Alcobaça is a record of overlapping times: A small building reconstructed to perpetuate the vernacular common scale, and a wall thoroughly shaped to house the quiet extension.

© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

On the existing building a void is created managing the thickness of the peripheral walls. An absence of space is freed collecting luminosity from a skylight that grants a private and protected atmosphere. The compartments appear as internal additions, connected to the exterior through reinterpreted windows in the façades, but proposing an unexpected internal space.

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