Agroturism in Melgaço, Portugal

When asked to design the rehabilitation and expansion of a traditional rural construction of the north of Portugal, we began by analysing the word preserve, and the dictionary proposes: protection and maintenance. Paradoxically, when referred to the past, these synonyms may indicate opposite concepts: do we speak of protecting the past or maintaining the past? Reflecting on the rehabilitation, we established a synthesis between conserving – the traditional construction, scale and characteristics of the plot – and rehabilitating – providing all the modern and technical facilities required and introducing new materials in dialogue with the traditional stone walls such as concrete – to achieve an intervention respectful of the history, that fits the nature of the non-urban site, promoting and enhancing the authenticity of the region.