In the heart of the Portuguese countryside, in the mountain region of Cova da Beira, in the picturesque municipality of Belmonte, stands the architectural project called “The Vagar – Country House”, the result of the genius of the architect David Bilo in collaboration with Filipe Pina.
The primary objective of this project was to enhance the architectural, historical and landscape heritage already existing in this small mountain region. This was achieved through the restoration and conservation of the buildings and surrounding landscape, respecting their architectural character and natural values. This intervention has allowed a renewed tourist destination of the complex, creating an atmosphere of coexistence, integration and overlapping of memories, where the past and the legacy are not forgotten, but converge towards the creation of a new structure for Rural Tourism - the Country House.
The proposal focused on the recovery of the old “Casa da Chandeirinha” and the transformation of some surrounding buildings into support structures to further enrich the tourist complex. The intervention aimed at recovering the complex, providing conditions of habitability, comfort and well-being, guaranteeing a functional internal organization with independent spaces for private use and, at the same time, physically and/or visually connecting the surrounding environment as a backdrop to this renovated tourist resort.
In the main building, the original configuration has been maintained, including the systems and height, as well as the main granite masonry walls and characterizing elements. Only a reconfiguration of the old and “fragmented” roof was carried out, with the removal of plaster, joints and concrete walls, as well as other compositions that presented a certain degree of deterioration. The vegetation was also preserved, both in the immediate vicinity and inside the building, so that the entire pre-existing body retained its original vernacularity, enriched only by more contemporary interventions, such as the introduction of exposed concrete elements , heat-treated wood and natural zinc coatings.
In this rural context, rich in history and infinite landscapes, a space dedicated to a tribute to nature and well-being was born, where visitors can immerse themselves in an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony with the surrounding environment.
project info
Project name: The Vagar – Country House
Main Architect: David Bilo + Filipe Pina
Collaborations: Diana Cruz
Website: www.fp-a.pt/, www.dbarquitectos.pt/
Email: info@fp-a.pt info@dbarquitectos.pt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidBilo.Arquitectos , https://www.facebook.com/filipepina.arquitectura
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fp_architectures/ , https://www.instagram.com/dbilo.arq/
Location: Serra da Esperança – Belmonte – Portugal
Year of conclusion: 2022
total area: 425,60
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Builder: MPS
inspection: David Bilo
Engineering: José Carlos Cardoso Ferreira
Landscape: Ricardo Campos
illustrations: Andre Teixeira
Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
Website: www.ivotavares.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivotavaresstudio
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivotavaresstudio
