Santo Isidro Cottage JP | João Tiago Aguiar, arquitectos

Santo Isidro Cottage, in Samora Correia, displays its restored elevations embedded in the architectural and aesthetic context of the typical country houses, although with a contemporary touch. In the renovated interior, sustainable materials prevail in harmony with the region's countryside rurality and a simple but effective colour palette.

The outside, with its typical arched style, presents a discreet body designed to unwind the existing similarity, but without disrupting the existing harmony; a minimalist glass volume emerges between the main house and the annexe/lounge room.

For this complete refurbishment, the functional scheme was completely rethought to allow the creation of more fluid spaces. In fact, its interior complexity vanishes, giving rise to a more daily life-friendly house. To achieve this goal, changing the layout of the rooms revealed to be crucial, with the social area moving to a former bedroom area and the bathrooms to where once was a living room and kitchen.

The fireplace, opened both to the living and dining rooms, creates a visual connection between this multifunction space, and a pleasant feeling of cosiness and a more agreeable social dynamic.

The carpentries are a typical and indispensable element in a country house and, in this case, the same original green colour was used on every wood, standing out among the dominant neutral shades of the interior.

In addition, the lioz marble stone and the handmade tiles create distinctive but harmonious visual effects.

Responsible Architects: João Tiago Aguiar

Project team: Rúben Mateus, Maria Sousa Otto, Susana Luís, Samanta Cardoso de Menezes, Diogo Romão, Arianna Camozzi, Nuno Sequeira, Francisco Barosa, Rita Cardoso Lemos, Renata Vieira.

Photography: FG+SG – Architecture Photography