Old stable turned into dwellings on the island of São Miguel

On the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean, a former stable of the early twentieth century has been converted into two guest houses where history and contemporaneity coexist in perfect balance.

The main objective was to preserve the character, lines and rural atmosphere of the building, while adapting the closed structure to a new typology and contemporary regulations. New openings were carefully cut in the colored facades, as well as on the stone wall, and a new volume was added to the main building, which allowed for the integration of a smaller second house. The largest house develops on two levels: the ground floor opens onto the surrounding outdoor spaces and reaches its different heights, creating a semi-level floor where a social space gives access to private suites and the service area. The upper floor contains social spaces.

Ocher kitchen, there is access to a terrace located above the small house on the ground floor. New elements, such as the external stairs connecting the terrace, or the use of bleached wood in the interiors, are re-interpretations of the vernacular architecture of the Azores. The pink and ocher tones are the main identity of the area where the building is located. Ocher was traditionally used to frame windows and doors, in this project it was used indoors, in the kitchen and bedrooms, adding a new relationship between interior and exterior views.