Tourist accommodation of Quinta da Faísca Winery

In Alijò, Portugal, the hilly landscape of vineyards, olive trees, and almond trees is enough to marvel the eyes of the beholder. That's why the architecture of the accommodation facility for visitors of the Quinta da Faísca Winery metaphorically aims to be a leap into that open that is full of beauty and abundance

“It is not difficult to make architecture in such a beautiful place. It is already there”

After the renovation of the Quinta da Faísca Winery, one of the many architectural projects by the Carlos Castanheira Architects studio, they were also commissioned to create accommodation facilities for visitors. A challenging task because the estate's land was practically all occupied by vineyards and the winery itself. But architect Castanheira argues that “It is not difficult to make architecture in such a beautiful place. It is already there. You just need to leap”

Suspended in the landscape the building embodies the essence of jumping

With the aim of bringing the infinite panorama inside the new structure, the studio designs a solution composed of a concrete slab supported by metal beams and four interconnected apartments that rest on it. Suspended in the landscape, which enters the architecture and projects the visitor outside, the building embodies the essence of jumping

All made of wood, the inclined geometries become metamorphic construction elements

The reception structure for visitors of Cantina Quinta da Faísca is entirely made of wood and its inclined geometries become metamorphic construction elements: walls turn into ceilings, window frames, cladding. The dynamically shaped roof, along with the floor structure, is an excellent work in zinc. The four apartments, combinable to meet various space needs, are distributed with a living area with kitchenette and bathroom on the lower level and a loft with sleeping area

The outdoors

Outside, washed concrete paths lead to the slate garden and native trees. Four small beaches are created around a water tank made of old granite blocks. Here guests can find relief from the dry, hot climate of the Alto Douro wine region. On the terrace overlooking the landscape to the east, instead, one can sit at the 10-meter-long wooden table to soak in the wonders of the place, in the shade of a vine

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Carlos Castanheira Architects

Rua do Conselheiro Veloso da Cruz no 61, 4400-336 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal