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The transformation of a rural complex dating back to the 18th century into a modern hotel that honors vernacular architecture and local traditions.
Located in Ponte de Lima, Portugal, Cerdeiras House Hotel rejuvenates a rural complex that partially dates back to the 18th century. Tiago do Vale Architects renovated and expanded the existing structures with a deliberately contemporary design approach that deeply honors vernacular architecture and local building traditions. The design of the modern hotel reflects the cycles of transformations and adaptations of rural and agricultural buildings while adding a new chapter to the rich history of the area.
Parts of the complex date back to 1747, but successive reconstructions and extensions over the years changed the fabric of the buildings, including their footprint and height. In the first half of the 20th century, the complex transformed into an L-shaped structure with a courtyard. The studio embraced the site’s story of organic evolution and followed a distinct design approach that respects the area’s heritage and traditions but also embodies modern sensibilities.
Preserving what had remained from the original façades, Tiago do Vale Architects reinstated some lost elements like window frames and roof coverings. Additionally, the studio reconstructed the granary, but with a modern touch that references traditional agricultural designs. New volumes complement existing buildings, their horizontal planes standing below the original structures. Terraces cascade down the slope; between them, a swimming pool echoes vernacular irrigation tanks.
The studio converted the old courtyard into the main living room. A large skylight makes the heart of the space resemble an indoor patio. Apart from the living room, the hotel’s social areas on the ground floor also include a dining room and a winter room. Additionally, this floor houses a bedroom, a bathroom and a wine cellar. Upstairs, there are more bedrooms and a large suite. Walking through a corridor that also leads to an outdoor patio, guests reach the granary, which contains a kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms on the upper floor.
The architects created a balance between contemporary design and tradition, referencing the latter with a thoughtful choice of materials. For example, the ultra-modern kitchen boasts handmade tiles and pink marble typical of the Minho area. Elsewhere, oak beams and chestnut floors appear alongside minimalist takes on traditional skirting boards, while in the granary slatted timber screens filter the light and regulate solar gain.
A project that places renovation and restoration in a contemporary context, the Cerdeiras House Hotel doesn’t try to recreate the past, but honors it with reinterpreted elements that give a nod to the area’s centuries of transformations and architectural changes. Photography by João Morgado.
