Passing by Alandroal, on a territory marked by scattered settlements and the proximity of the Alqueva dam, we arrive to Monte da Silva. The house, whitewashed, emerges on top of a small hill overlooking the other side of the border. A chimney, somehow unscaled, and a cover in roof tiles accentuate the silhouette of the building in the landscape.

Courtesy of Pedro Mendes

Architects: Pedro Mendes

Location: 7250 Alandroal, Portugal

Area: 257.0 m2

Project Year: 2010

Photographs: Cortesia de Pedro Mendes

Collaborators: Patrícia Horta, Ana Barros, Tiago Marcelino da Cruz

Structure: ARA, Alves Rodrigues & Associados, Lda., Fernando Rodrigues

Water Installations: Acribia
Electrical Installations: Ruben Sobral

Courtesy of Pedro Mendes

Passing by Alandroal, on a territory marked by scattered settlements and the proximity of the Alqueva dam, we arrive to Monte da Silva. The house, whitewashed, emerges on top of a small hill overlooking the other side of the border. A chimney, somehow unscaled, and a cover in roof tiles accentuate the silhouette of the building in the landscape.

Courtesy of Pedro Mendes

The proposal approached the idea of reusing the existing house and builds a new backer. The intervention focused on the adaptation of the existing house, keeping its spatial and formal identity.

Planta

The project stems from the interpretat...