SAMF Arquitectos’ Reinterpretation of a Traditional Portuguese Farmhouse.

Architects: SAMF Arquitectos.
Location: Mesão Frio, Portugal.
Area: 70.0 sqm.
Completion: 2014.
Photography: José Campos.

Sara Antunes and Mário Ferreira of Lisbon office SAMF Arquitectos have designed ‘Casa dos Caseiros’, a residence for the caretaker of an estate that overlooks the Douro river in one of Portugal’s main wine producing regions. Set in a vineyard with traditional agricultural buildings nearby, the property replaces an existing farm building and is part of the gradual regeneration of the site to improve its potential for agriculture and tourism.

Simple white volumes, terracotta tiles, retaining walls made of local stone, and joinery painted a vibrant shade blue, all reference the vernacular style of the existing buildings, helping the new addition blend in with its surroundings – but with a contemporary twist.

In line with the client’s desire to maintain a fragile balance and consistency of this cultural landscape, the building relates directly to it’s traditional neighbours. At the same time, it also relates to the modern tradition, providing an openness of interpretation, with a subtle reworking of details creating a more abstract and ambiguous character.

The house is made of two volume, one of which holds the main living space and kitchen. The other, slightly smaller in scale houses two bedrooms. The bathroom occupies the space left over from the entrance porch. The sparsely furnished interior features blue joinery that continues the palette found on the exterior and incorporates entrances to the two bedrooms housed in the slightly smaller second volume. Geometric tiles provide a modern interpretation of the traditional painted tiles popular in the region.

[Images courtesy of SAMF. Photography © José Campos.]