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    Cotovios

    2021

    The renovation of this former agricultural building began with a simple idea: to transform a functional, outdated barn into a liveable and comfortable home, while respecting its rural origins. Local construction techniques and natural materials — timber and earth plaster — were used, ensuring continuity with the region’s building traditions.

    The L-shaped plan is reinterpreted here. On one side are the bedrooms, organised according to a modular rhythm that governs the layout and ensures both order and economy in construction. On the other hand, the living area unfolds in a single stretch — a generous open space where kitchen, dining, and living areas coexist naturally. The exposed timber structure and pitched roof echo the flow of the space and define its scale. At the centre, a curved wall acts as the spine of the house, stitching the two wings together and providing a soft transition between spaces. This curve is not merely a formal gesture: it is a functional and present element, integrating circulation, storage, and visual connections.

    The lightweight zinc roof rests like a sheet atop the old stone walls.