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Rural House in Portugal by HBG Architects

Anabata Media · October 18th, 2022
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HBG Architects has transformed an old building, which previously served as a communal roasting house, into a cozy family vacation home. The house is located in the countryside of Aldeia de João Pires, Penamacor, Portugal, which has extreme temperatures in winter and summer.

The appearance of a rural house in Aldeia de João Pires, after being renovated by HBG ArchitectsThe appearance of a rural house in Aldeia de João Pires, after being renovated by HBG Architects.

Like the surrounding buildings, this house has a rough exterior because its thick granite walls are exposed as is. Together with a high gable roof, the wall forms a one-story volume that is not spacious enough to be a comfortable place to live. In addition, the interior of this building feels dark and cold because it has not been occupied for a long time. The porch and the outer courtyard were almost destroyed behind the wall fence, which was also made of granite stone.

The exposed granite wall becomes the strong character of the exterior of this houseThe exposed granite wall becomes the strong character of the exterior of this house.

These conditions then encouraged HBG Architects to develop a design concept that took advantage of the original identity of this building while creating a decent and comfortable living space. The granite walls with strong character are maintained as a marker of the age of the house while connecting it to the surrounding context. Quite a lot of changes were precisely made to the house's interior.

The interior is designed more contemporary than the exteriorThe interior is designed more contemporary than the exterior.

The volume, which had previously covered only one space, was divided by HBG Architects into a ground floor and a mezzanine. The ground floor serves as an activity center with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and service area. Meanwhile, a mezzanine is used to accommodate one bedroom and a bathroom.

HBG Architects combines a rough surface of granite walls with wood and concrete materials to support comfort in the house. The predominant use of wood on the ceiling and kitchen countertops, stairs, and mezzanine grilles is expected to bring a warm atmosphere to the house. In addition, to give a touch of contemporary design, the living room of this house is equipped with concrete benches that continuously become a fireplace table and the base of the stairs.

Living room with a concrete bench that is continuous until becomes a fireplace tableLiving room with a concrete bench that is continuous until becomes a fireplace table.

The kitchen area in the house is dominated by wood materialThe kitchen area in the house is dominated by wood material.

A similar design was also applied to the terrace and yard, but with a reasonable portion to avoid disturbing the traditional impression. The terrace, which was once open, was shaded by a roof, and the floor was covered with wooden boards that emphasized the boundary with the outer courtyard. Meanwhile, HBG Architects added a pool for the outer courtyard as a cooling element when summer comes.

Bedroom on the mezzanineBedroom on the mezzanine.

The view leads to the terrace and the outer courtyardThe view leads to the terrace and the outer courtyard.

In the end, HBG Architects proved that this project which initially looked unlikely could be a comfortable home. This project is not just to create a vacation home but also to maintain the character of a rural house.

Ground floor planGround floor plan.

Mezzanine planMezzanine plan.

 

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Architecture · House ·