Old ruins have an undeniable beauty and power. When architects use them as a main design element, a special kind of visual poetry comes to life. Somewhere on the Pico island in Portugal, a holiday house pays homage to the past in a clever way. Designed by award-winning studio Sami Arquitectos, E/C House celebrates the ruins of an old building and allows them to take on a new role in the modern chapter of their history. The two-story house nestles inside the dark stone walls on a sloping plot of land overlooking the ocean. Rough concrete complements the textures of the ruins, giving a different context to the natural material.
Some of the windows of the holiday home align with the old openings, creating an almost conceptual design that puts time in a striking perspective, establishing a new relationship with the old structure at the same time. Others open up towards the surrounding vegetation or the breathtaking landscape. Inside the house, minimal furniture, wooden or concrete flooring as well as white walls reinforce the airy, relaxing atmosphere. Deck areas allow the inhabitants to not only admire the vistas, but to also immerse themselves into a striking part of nature. A place where heritage and modern design have the perfect symbiotic relationship. Photography by Paulo Catrica.
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