FCC Architecture and Paulo Lobo have designed the extension for this rural hotel situated in between vineyards. The need to expand the program in order to cover the needs of a hotel of this nature focused the project in the recovery of the existing buildings that were badly damaged, and at the same time respecting the landscape and identity of the place, and reinforcing the link between architecture and environment.
Description of the project by FCC Arquitectura + Paulo Lobo
The project aimed to adapt the space that Quinta da Lixa uses to produce wine through the construction of a Rural Hotel devoted to wine tourism.
The main thrust of the project was to refine this space by adding a high calibre touristic component, fully integrated in and framed by the pre-existing physical environment.
The key ambition was to make the vineyard and its wine the centre piece of the enterprise, connecting visitors to the cultural heritage and landscape of Quinta da Lixa’s wine production.
The project includes accommodation (30 rooms) and catering services, winery tours, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, wine tasting rooms, and events and conferences facilities.
The pre-existent built-up area was insufficient for the optimum investment programme. It was, thus, decided to embark on an effort to rebuild and expand this area, guided and inspired by some of the key features of the old buildings and infrastructure.
The old buildings, with the exception of the Main House, all had a rural character, were in a state of disrepair and degradation.
The formal and functional regeneration of this space, and the expansion of the built-up area, sought to preserve its architectural legacy, respecting the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the setting. It aimed to revitalise the whole of the infrastructure, while retaining its identity, fostering a dialogue between contemporary, architecture and rural surroundings.
The project wants to go well beyond offering luxurious accommodation and catering. It intends to create a truly unique experience to its visitors through a harmonious, mutually-reinforcing interaction of the various physical elements that make up the whole architectural setting – an engaging, exclusive space, where each element is perfectly integrated into a coherent whole.
It is recommended that visitors explore the space in its entirety. There are several footpaths around the property that seamlessly connect its various buildings.
The close visual link between the buildings’ interior spaces and the surrounding environment helps define an intimate atmosphere with a dominant rural character.
