The renovation of an old house is always a journey into the unknown. No matter how detailed the project may be, and even with a careful initial assessment, there are always hidden stories within the walls, floors, and roof. And this project became the most challenging one in recent times.

From the adversities that emerged step by step with the demolitions and the initially planned changes—testing the work schedule, the estimated budget, and also the patience of everyone involved—we always tried to focus on the positive side and on the added value that each solution could bring. The presence of a water table in the basement area, the deteriorated wood structures, the aged plaster, and also a rear wall that eventually had to be removed all allowed the final result to be enhanced in quality and comfort.

The project was approached as the culmination of a trilogy of houses in the Cascais area, all sharing the same interior philosophy and exterior colours and aesthetics. This final example is the most technologically advanced, using air ventilation systems, home automation, and smart equipment, ensuring that everyday use of the house keeps pace with modern times.

The plot presented a challenge in connecting two different levels: the street below and the main entrance above. After numerous versions, discussions, sketches, and measurements, the final solution became very clear: the construction of a slender tank, lined with mosaic, where water flows constantly, positioned on the terrain in such a way that it allows a harmonious ascent around it, in relation to the garden and the red volcanic rocks that border it.

We believe that the positive and enriching final result of this renewed space is the true added value of a complex and challenging process, and that the new experiences and memories to be created will make us believe that overcoming adversities was indeed the best path.