HomeResidential ArchitectureRenovation ProjectsCacela Velha House / GSS Arquitectos

Cacela Velha House / GSS Arquitectos

A rehabilitation project for an old house from the beginning of the 20th century

Cacela Velha House / GSS arquitectos
Cacela Velha House

Project Name: Cacela Velha House
Architecture: GSS Arquitectos
Lead Architects: Gonçalo Salazar de Sousa
Architecture Project — Partner: Tiago Lomelino
Location: Cacela Velha, lgarve, Portugal
Area: 180 m²
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: João Guimarães

The house is located in the Algarve, south of Portugal, in the historic village of Cacela Velha. It is a rehabilitation project for an old house from the beginning of the 20th century. Over the years it has undergone several changes. Initially, it was a small house for a farmer with the respective agricultural warehouses. Later a 2nd floor was expanded and has remained until today.

House in Cacela Velha / GSS arquitectos

This upper floor resulted in an unbalanced and somewhat bizarre volumetry, accentuating the verticality of the construction, contrasting with the ground floor extension of the house along the street. It was our intention to return some volumetric coherence to the construction, resorting to the creation of a pergola, with a light shading cover in pine poles, based on thick pillars, over the terrace to the east.

House in Cacela Velha / GSS arquitectos

To the north, the building had a blind façade, with a rather negative visual impact. To counteract this visual impact and to visually reinforce the unity of the building, 2 vertical spans were created (one on each floor) which act as a link between the two floors.

House in Cacela Velha / GSS arquitectos

The main façade of the house, at the ground floor level, had 8 spans wrapped in a mortar frame, a bit elaborate for the popular architecture characteristic of the area. We tried to simplify this frame, giving it a little more width and limiting its design to the shape of the existing span. The exterior shutters were replaced by half shutters, to guarantee the entry of natural light into the interior of the house and, at the same time, give privacy to the user.

kitchen

We tried to reinvent the patio concept, so characteristic of this part of the country, creating a lounge area and a small swimming pool with the character of a pond. The pool is not completely buried, emerging from the ground, allowing a natural and spontaneous experience of the space.

House in Cacela Velha / GSS arquitectos

The entire outdoor space is walled, given the proximity to the road, thus ensuring privacy for the interior of the patio. This masonry wall is traversed at the top by a board that culminates in the access gate.

terrace

The entire interior was demolished and a new division was made. The living room, at patio level, has an open relationship with the outside, providing a relaxed and informal use. On the upper floor is located the master suite, spacious and with access to the 2 existing terraces.

roof terrace

kitchen

bedroom

bathroom

Cacela Velha House / GSS arquitectos

Cacela Velha House / GSS Arquitectos

Subscribe to our newsletter

Croft Residence / AUX Architecture

This single-family home - Croft Residence - designed by Brian Wickersham and his firm, AUX Architecture, was designed to meet the economic demands of maximizing square footage while preserving indoor-outdoor living.

A Four-Unit Project For a Multi-Generational Family

The presented challenge was to design two single-family dwellings and two accessory dwelling units, each with private outdoor spaces and parking, all on a compact footprint to fit a tight urban lot.

Harry’s Beach House, a Surf and Turf Chic Restaurant in West Seattle

Located along Alki Beach in West Seattle, Harry’s Beach House is the cousin of Harry’s Fine Foods located on Capitol Hill and reflects the same spirit of welcome and home. The Beach House imagines a kind of surf and turf chic that is both nostalgic and fresh.

Recommended Stories