ancient granite walls envelop pink concrete holiday house by stefano riva in portugal

Stefano Riva breathes new life into ancient ruins in portugal

Vineyards cover the landscape of Resende, Portugal, where architect Stefano Riva transforms one of the site’s buildings into a holiday retreat, Casa Jeronimo. Set within the Douro region, known for its terraced granite walls and winemaking tradition, the residence emerges concerning the history of the site while introducing a bold pink volume.

One of the few surviving elements of the original structure, a weathered granite wall, encloses the residence. Rather than merely restoring the ruin, Riva introduces a contrasting concrete volume, an abstract interpretation of the historical footprint marked by the original farm building. Initially envisioned as partially subterranean, the discovery of a granite rock during construction led to the redesign of the project to respect the natural boundaries of the terrain.

all images by Attilio Fiumarella, courtesy of Stefano Riva

climbing plants turn Casa Jeronimo’s granite wall into a garden

Italian architect Stefano Riva organizes Casa Jeronimo across two levels. The ground floor houses the kitchen and living areas, while moving up, the first floor accommodates three bedrooms and a library. Interstitial spaces between the built forms become planted voids with climbing vegetation, and trees gradually cover the structure, transforming the preserved granite wall into an enclosure for a garden.

The use of pink-pigmented concrete mirrors the regional vernacular architecture, complementing the lush greenery of the vineyards. Rather than imposing itself on the landscape, the intervention reflects a sensitive adaptation of the existing context, shaping a contemporary retreat.

located in the vineyard-covered landscape of Resende, Portugal

a weathered granite wall encloses the residence

Riva introduces a contrasting concrete volume

the residence emerges concerning the history of the site

introducing a bold pink volume

the use of pink-pigmented concrete mirrors the regional vernacular architecture

neutral tones define the interiors

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pink contrasts with the verdant surroundings

Stefano Riva organizes Casa Jeronimo across two levels

the ground floor houses the kitchen and living areas

the use of pink-pigmented concrete mirrors the regional vernacular architecture

interstitial spaces between the built forms become planted voids

transforming the preserved granite wall into an enclosure for a garden

complementing the lush greenery of the vineyards

the intervention reflects a sensitive adaptation of the existing context

shaping a contemporary retreat

gravel covers the rooftop

climbing vegetation, and trees gradually cover the structure

architect Stefano Riva transforms one of the site’s buildings into a holiday retreat

the first floor accommodates three bedrooms and a library

the pink concrete ceiling colors the interior

large windows let light inside

 

model of the residence by Stefano Riva

masterplan by Stefano Riva

basement plan by Stefano Riva

first floor plan by Stefano Riva

rooftop plan by Stefano Riva

sections and elevations by Stefano Riva

project info:

name: Casa Jeronimo

architect: Stefano Riva | @rivastefanoriva

location: Resende, Portugal

collaborator: Omar Sala, Daniela Marques, Yasmine Tanout, Aurora Mason

engineering: Jorge Gomes, JG-Projectos de Engenharia

constructor: Pereira Melo & Ribeiro Lda

client: Jeronimo Montenegro

photographer: Attilio Fiumarella | @a_phi_photo