Casa do Poço by [i]da arquitectos

The semi-detached house, a T3 typology, is situated on one of the main streets of the neighbourhood and stands out for preserving original architectural elements. The simplicity of the façade, marked by few openings, discreet stonework, and the prominent chimney, gives the building an authentic and timeless character. The four-sided roof, shared with the adjacent house, enhances the architectural harmony and cohesion of the set. At the back, there is a courtyard partially shaded by fruit trees, which adds value to the outdoor space. However, some later additions, such as an extension at ground floor level and a series of dilapidated outbuildings at the rear, detract from the original architecture, compromising the aesthetics and integrity of the building.

The house was vacant and showed visible signs of deterioration. With a longitudinal layout and small dimensions, the ground floor comprises a small living room/entrance hall, a kitchen, and one bedroom. The upper floor consists of two additional bedrooms and a bathroom. Structurally, the building is supported by wooden beams both in the floors and roof, while the stone masonry walls provide robustness and stability to the construction. The courtyard is bordered to the southwest by an imposing retaining wall almost 5 metres high, which stands out as a central and determining element of the project.

The intervention project proposes the reconstruction and expansion of the existing building, with the aim of improving the comfort, health, and lighting conditions of the house, in accordance with current legal requirements. The preservation of the main façade, including all its characteristic elements such as the roof shape, height, threshold level, and stonework, was a priority. To highlight the difference between construction periods, the extended area was designed with a flat roof at the level of the existing eaves, thus emphasising the contemporary intervention.

The removal of the dilapidated outbuildings allowed the retaining wall in the courtyard to be highlighted, which became a central element of the project. This wall provided an intimate garden, ensuring total privacy and allowing the development of a more transparent rear façade, contrasting with the masonry walls of the main façade.

The spatial reorganisation of the interiors was designed to maximise sunlight exposure and create a fluid visual continuity between the interior and exterior, both from the street side and the garden side. The new outbuilding proposed in the courtyard, which replaced the existing structures, accommodates a multi-purpose space, a pergola, and a storage area, harmoniously integrating into the garden and enhancing the functionality of the outdoor space.