Casa do Engenho represents the transformation of a former agricultural annex, part of an early eighteenth-century built ensemble in Vila Nova de Gaia, into a contemporary dwelling that extends the history and values of a family entering a new stage of life. The project emerges from the recognition of the building’s potential - originally conceived as an extension of the main house - and which now asserts itself as the new residential core of the property. The intervention seeks to reconcile tradition and future, respecting the memory of the place while introducing renewal, functionality, and comfort.

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The structural integrity and architectural expression of the exterior were preserved, clarified through the reordering of the facade’s metric and the introduction of shutters ensuring comfort and flexibility in managing interior light. Inside, the transformation is comprehensive: formerly rigid and compartmentalized rooms give way to open and fluid spaces, where visual continuity, the permeability of natural light, and the materiality of elements such as wood define a renewed living environment.

 

The spatial reorganization distributes the programme across the two existing floors, connected by a contemporary staircase that dialogues with the rehabilitated original one, assuming symbolic value in the transition between public and intimate areas.

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The ground floor concentrates the social areas in a single continuous space - living, dining, and kitchen - articulated by sliding wooden panels that allow the relationship between openness and privacy to adapt to each moment. This level also integrates a laundry room, pantry, guest bathroom, garage, and a master suite with direct access to the exterior. The upper floor accommodates two suites and a large lounge, all opening to balconies and benefiting from carefully placed skylights. The pitched roof extends beyond the perimeter of the house, forming a sheltered outdoor area that broadens the possibilities of use throughout the day.

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After the intervention, the building gains new relevance and meaning. Natural materials establish a balanced dialogue with the pre-existing structure, while the interior spatiality prioritizes continuity, light, and a strong relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape. Casa do Engenho thus emerges as a renewed, luminous, and welcoming home - capable of accompanying the family’s evolution while preserving the memory of a place that spans generations.

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