The project revolves around the rehabilitation and transformation of an existing stone structure, originally in a state of ruin. Rather than erasing the past, the design embraces it through a “box-in-box” strategy, inserting new timber volumes within the solid mass of the historic stone walls. This creates a clear dialogue between old and new, where the permanence and texture of stone contrast with the warmth and precision of the wooden construction.

The new timber elements are conceived as independent structural units, lightly touching the existing masonry while asserting their own contemporary identity. Their structural rhythm becomes façade: a sequence of vertical wooden frames that modulate light, define proportions, and bring coherence to the new interventions.

A new wooden pavilion extends the program and connects seamlessly to the rehabilitated stone volume. Elevated on a concrete plinth, the pavilion sits lightly on the terrain while achieving a precise structural interlock with its timber frames.

The project’s overall character is defined by material clarity—stone, timber, concrete—each left honest and legible, and by a commitment to preserving the memory of the original construction while enabling new spatial possibilities. The result is a construction where the past is reinforced, the present is clearly expressed, and the landscape is fully integrated into the architectural experience.

–

STATUS: under construction

LOCATION: Vilar de Mouros (PT)

ARCHITECTURE : UN-ICON

GENERAL  ENGINEER TEAM : ELEVEN STEPS