Casa Sodade by Estudio Treze: Restoring Cabo Verde’s Colonial Heritage Through Culture and Memory

Revitalizing a Historic Landmark in Sal Rei, Boa Vista

Casa Sodade — formerly Casa Nho Padre — is a sensitive architectural restoration project by Estudio Treze in Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cabo Verde. The 19th-century colonial residence has been reborn as Sodade – Casa da Memória, a cultural and gastronomic destination that honors the island’s collective memory and architectural identity.

Occupying 287 m² on Amílcar Cabral Street — a streetscape defined by historic Portuguese-colonial architecture — the project safeguards the building’s heritage while activating it as a public space for culture, cuisine, and community engagement.

Heritage Rehabilitation Anchored in Identity and Collective Memory

The restoration stems from a profound cultural mission: preserving Cabo Verde’s architectural identity and strengthening local cultural narratives. The architects approached the project with three key principles:

1. Protect Historical Integrity

The design carefully preserves the original colonial structure, facade, proportions, and construction logic, respecting its symbolic role in Boa Vista’s historic center.

2. Revalue Traditional Craftsmanship

Traditional construction language and artisanal materials are reinstated, reinforcing authenticity and recovering lost architectural quality.

3. Activate the Space Through New Cultural Use

Rather than becoming a static monument, the building now houses a café-restaurant and small museum — ensuring ongoing civic relevance and sustainable preservation.

A Collaborative Model for Heritage and Urban Renewal

A unique partnership between Santa Isabel Parish (the property owner) and private investor Cristiano Libardoni provided a blended model of cultural stewardship and economic sustainability. Their shared vision reverses decades of neglect and prevents further urban decay — illustrating a replicable strategy for heritage-driven urban regeneration across Cabo Verde.

Reading Layers of Time: Research-Driven Conservation

The rehabilitation required rigorous architectural analysis due to limited archival documentation. Estudio Treze conducted on-site investigation, tracing construction layers and identifying unsympathetic alterations from previous residential and commercial uses:

• Deteriorated, mismatched flooring
• Loss of original carpentry and joinery
• Use of incompatible cement and synthetic paints
• Improvised partitions disrupting the historical floor plan

The design team balanced heritage sensitivity with modern programmatic needs, ensuring structural stability and functional adaptation while preserving historical character.

Traditional Materials and Reversible Restoration Techniques

Conservation Approach

The intervention prioritizes authenticity, reversibility, and heritage-appropriate technology. Natural and traditional materials dominate the palette:

• Hydraulic lime mortars
• Local stone
• Treated wood
• Brick
• Limewash

All photographs are works of  Lisa Monz