Doro Barro Holiday Home: Concrete Meets Historical Nature

Site and Natural Context

The project is located on a property in the Doro Barro – Resende area, a region renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, dominated by vineyards. This location provides a strong natural backdrop that can significantly influence design and architectural decisions.

Property Condition and Architectural History

The property comprises several buildings that require careful architectural intervention. The primary goal of the program was to convert one of these buildings into a holiday home. During the initial survey, ruins were discovered that reflect the long history of the site, the most notable being an old granite wall, which served as the sole link between the past and the present.

Impact of Human Intervention on the Natural Landscape

Over the centuries, human intervention has transformed the natural landscape by constructing granite walls to create terraces and flat areas for vine cultivation. These modifications were not limited to functional purposes; they also helped shape a landscape of unique beauty, where architectural elements stand out in contrast to the surrounding environment. Through these contrasts, the architecture becomes part of a visual dialogue with nature, rather than merely a separate structure.

Aerial view of vineyards in the Duro Barro area

Main Architectural Concept

The project revolves around a large concrete block, serving as an abstract element inspired by the footprint of the old farmhouse. In addition, the design incorporates an underground structure, reflecting a focus on integration with the site’s natural and historical context.

Interaction Between Elements

The interaction between the concrete block and the underground structure creates new intermediate spaces, forming areas that allow for a consistent and aesthetically pleasing exploration of the inside–outside concept.

Reuse of Historical Heritage

The old stone wall plays a pivotal role in the design, transforming into an element that embraces a garden. This connection between past and present adds both environmental and aesthetic dimensions to the project.

Design Adjustment Due to Site Conditions

The emergence of a granite rock during construction led to a modification of the original design, necessitating the abandonment of the partially underground architecture concept. This change reflects the architect’s response to the natural site and the need to adapt to unexpected environmental elements.

Separation of Volumes and Creation of Spaces

The architectural volumes were separated from the natural boundaries, allowing for the creation of more contained and enclosed spaces. This organizational approach gives the building a clear identity while creating visual contrast with the surrounding nature.

Relationship with the Environment Through Color

The use of pink-colored concrete contributes to establishing a new relationship with the surroundings. This color choice draws from the local color tradition of nearby buildings, complementing the green of the vineyards and enhancing harmony between the architecture and nature.

Floor Layout and Spaces

The house spans two floors, with the ground floor dedicated to social spaces such as the kitchen and living room, enhancing daily interaction and functional use among family members. The upper floor houses three bedrooms and a library, reserved for private and quiet activities.

Intermediate Spaces and Nature

In the spaces between the built volumes, trees and climbing plants will grow naturally, creating a balance between architecture and the environment. These natural elements reflect the rhythm of the seasons and help regulate the flow of natural light within the house, providing each space with a comfortable and refreshing atmosphere throughout the year.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Doro Barro holiday home project can be seen as an architectural experiment exploring the interaction between concrete and the natural and historical context. The use of the old stone wall to recreate links between past and present demonstrates a sensitivity to heritage integration, while the distribution of floors and spaces reflects an awareness of social and private functions for the users.

However, several aspects can be considered challenges within the project. The reliance on a large concrete block and the partially underground structure may limit long-term flexibility in space usage and make adaptation to future needs more difficult. Similarly, the intensive interventions to shape intermediate spaces and separate volumes may create a certain visual enclosure, potentially reducing the natural harmony of the site in some areas. Although the choice of pink concrete aims to harmonize with the surrounding environment, it may not align with all weather conditions or natural lighting, affecting the visual perception of the project at different times of day or year.

From a practical perspective, the project can serve as a reference for studying how to handle sites with architectural heritage and unexpected terrain, and for exploring the integration of modern materials with historical elements to balance functionality and aesthetics. Nevertheless, the practical implementation of such projects requires careful consideration of future adaptability to climatic changes, ensuring flexible use, and maintaining the sustainability of natural resources.