The house to be extended, a very small rural stone building, formerly inhabited by a family of 11 members, fits into the rough terrain of a large plot of land in Melgaço, in the interior of Minho, in Northern Portugal.

© André Cepeda

Architects: Nuno Brandão Costa

Location: 4960 Parada do Monte, Portugal

Area: 349.0 sqm

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: André Cepeda

Collaborators: Filipa Júlio, Joanna Katherine Guimarães,

Structure : Ana Isabel Vale (ABprojectos)

Hydraulic: Ana Isabel Vale (ABprojectos)

Electrical: Maria da Luz Santiago (RS Associados)

Mechanical : Raul Bessa (GET)
© André Cepeda

From the architect. The house to be extended, a very small rural stone building, formerly inhabited by a family of 11 members, fits into the rough terrain of a large plot of land in Melgaço, in the interior of Minho, in Northern Portugal.

The powerful landscape and the character of the existing ruin suggested an extension to the house like a timeless construction, with no defined boundaries, but limited by the local materials.

© André Cepeda

The extension to the house, which accommodates the lounge and three bedrooms, is an underground body which lets in natural light through the opening of a courtyard ...