Cooking and Nature , Emotional Hotel | Ana Correia

The Rural Hotel that is intended to be built in the urban perimeter of Alvados, was designed to integrate contemporary functional and architectural characteristics, respecting the values ​​of traditional architecture and in accordance with the legislation in force.

The building develops in an "L" shape, open to the south-west over the landscape and protected from strong winds to the north, with a stone masonry wall-façade. It is thus characterized by a composition of simple volumes, with a constant height of 2 floors and a flat roof.

The functional program of the Rural Hotel was defined as follows:

Ground floor – common and service areas:

On the ground floor there is the reception and bar, in the main entrance area of ​​the Hotel, as well as the area for the exhibition and sale of regional products, the access area to the upper floor, the elevator and a small luggage deposit that was placed under the stairs.

 The distribution areas to the various common spaces, namely the dining and breakfast room, the kitchen open to guests, the living room, the children's playroom and the “Arab baths” area.

This program intended to develop and integrate several international trends in spaces, but always in a restrained way and adjusted to the rural and natural environment in which they are integrated.

An “open” kitchen was thus designed for the use of guests, which is intended to function autonomously and / or in parallel with the traditional kitchen and service pantry.

A space was also designed – “play room” with a view and direct connection to the terraces and outdoor pools, thinking about the fun of younger guests and the consequent peace of mind of their older companions.

The space intended for the “baths” area was intended to integrate the concept of the Arab baths. In this sense, three spaces were defined with water tanks with different temperatures, but complementary to each other. A tank with cold water, a tank with temperate water and a tank with hot water will thus function, inserted in intimate and differentiated environments. In this space, a longitudinal area with double height ceilings was also created in order to enhance environments with controlled zenith lighting.

At the same time, this area has a space for massages and spaces for relaxation and rest, as well as changing rooms and support sanitary facilities.

All common spaces, mainly the rooms, have a view and direct connection to the terraces and swimming pools, to the south. These spans are partially shaded by the plan of the upper verandas, in order to guarantee better thermal conditions in summer and, consequently, a reduction in electricity consumption.

Given the predominance of North winds, the corresponding façade, on the right side, was designed with practically no fenestrations, functioning as a protection wall.

On the upper floor are the twelve accommodation units of the Hotel, all with double rooms and one of which is prepared to receive guests with reduced or disabled mobility. The spaces of the rooms extend to the spaces of the outside balcony and all have complete sanitary facilities and receive natural light. Four rooms face east (front elevation) and the remaining eight face south (left side elevation).

The constructive proposal developed intended to fit in with the natural and built surroundings, using materials that dominate the local economy, fundamentally the use of stone materials, cork and wood.