House in Silves: A Thoughtful Rehabilitation by BOMO Arquitectos

Nestled in the serene Algarve region of southern Portugal, the House in Silves is a masterful example of architectural rehabilitation by BOMO Arquitectos. Originally a rustic barn on a family farm, this two-story structure occupies a gentle valley within the traditional barrocal landscape, characterized by orange groves, undulating terrain, and the scenic flow of the Arade River. Its location bridges the elevated slopes of the Monchique mountain range with the low-lying coastal plains, offering panoramic views and a profound connection to the region’s agricultural heritage.

The project transforms a historically functional agricultural building at the end of a long, single-story early 20th-century house. The site includes cultivation areas, a threshing floor, wells, and smaller outbuildings. Despite its rural roots, the barn had three isolated rooms lacking natural light and interior connectivity. The only openings were narrow, low doors, and access to the upper floor was via an external staircase.

Interior Transformation and Spatial Innovation

BOMO Arquitectos carefully unified the original three divisions both horizontally and vertically. The ground floor now features a cohesive social space, including a living room, dining area, and compact kitchenette, complemented by a bedroom and bathroom. Above, a generous mezzanine bedroom floats above the living room, utilizing the former exterior staircase as a charming balcony overlooking the valley. This intervention enhances spatial fluidity, creating a harmonious balance between functional living spaces and the building’s historic character.

Natural light was a central design consideration.

The mezzanine was made possible by partially demolishing the existing slab, introducing a tall new window in the living room. Combined with glazed exterior doors, this approach brings abundant daylight to the interior, resolving previous lighting limitations while highlighting the volumetric interplay between old and new structures.

Exposing History Through Materials

The 1969 earthquake left part of the barn’s upper stone structure collapsed, later reconstructed with industrial pierced bricks and concealed by plaster and whitewash. BOMO Arquitectos embraced this layered history, exposing the original stone on the ground floor while reconstructing new walls and the staircase using traditional irregular stone masonry. The contrast between the robust, white-painted stone base and the smoother plastered upper walls creates a clear architectural narrative, blending heritage with contemporary interventions.

Handmade terracotta tiles from local clay workshops cover the floors, while traditional pine carpentry is reinterpreted in doors and shutters, honoring regional craftsmanship. Exterior enhancements include demolition of non-original volumes, modifications to the staircase, and the addition of protective shutters for glazing, clarifying and respecting the building’s historical silhouette.

A Home for Healing and Family Life

The clients: a family of two doctors and an agronomist, along with their children and grandchildren: sought a retreat that reflected their life’s work: preserving, nurturing, and creating a space for future generations. The House in Silves embodies warmth, functionality, and a deep connection to both history and landscape, making it a true architectural and familial sanctuary.

Project Highlights:

• Location: Silves, Algarve, Portugal
• Architects: BOMO Arquitectos
• Area: 1614 ft²
• Year: 2023
• Key Materials: Handmade terracotta tiles, irregular stone masonry, pine wood carpentry, plastered walls
• Manufacturers: CLIMAR, Aleluia Cerâmicas, CIN, Efapel, Fila, JNF, Mapei, Roca, Rodi, Sanitana

This project demonstrates how sensitive residential rehabilitation can honor history while creating functional, light-filled living spaces. The House in Silves is a celebration of rural Portuguese architecture reimagined for modern family life.

All photographs are works of do mal o menos