Excerpt: Renato Cintra Arquitectos designed Casa Correia in the context of a historical center with the harmony of the neighbourhood accommodating the family’s necessary comfort and privacy with minimalist architecture.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Located in the historic centre of Lagos, next to the city wall, this House benefits from the proximity of the river mouth and the beautiful bay. On southeastern days, you can hear the crashing waves and smell the sea air. Nearby is the Governors’ Castle, where Prince Henry the Navigator lived, and the Ponta da Bandeira Fort, an ex-libris of maritime fortifications.
Surrounded by history, Casa Correia was born from the dream of finding a refuge to enjoy precious rest after long years of work. A family heirloom of the owners, its location, central and accessible, yet secluded from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade, was the motto to develop a project that would accommodate the family, with the necessary comfort and privacy.
After demolishing the existing empty dwelling, which was not compatible with the current needs, a single-family house was built, with three floors. The ground floor is occupied by the social area and the upper floors house the private area of the bedrooms. On the top floor, it was also possible to create a generous terrace, which offers a pleasant view of the bay of Lagos.
In the context of a historical center, which involves some constraints, and between the adjoining buildings, it was possible to develop a solution that combines the demands of the owners, sustainability and comfort. The main challenge consisted in combining the contemporaneity of the design with respect for the historical surroundings and in harmony with the neighbouring houses. The aesthetic expression, developed in the treatment of the elevations, embodies a proposal with a sober, simple and modern language, which harmonizes with the surroundings.
At the owners’ request, the back patio was preserved, giving the building a secluded and intimate space, recreating the old courtyards so characteristic of this region.
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