15 Years of Existence Left

ARMONA HOLIDAY HOUSE – FARO ALGARVE | 2009
Architecture: José Marini Bragança, Helena Veludo

Armona is an island in RIA Formosa, Algarve. It is a place in a nature conservation area.
This old fishermen’s island has had a savage urban occupation for 40 years and is designated, by government policy, to disappear within the next 15 years. Until then, the objective is the recovery of an existing old hovel. In this territory, with these particular characteristics, the way of intervention should have an ephemeral nature and, of course, a low cost. The owner’s demand was a holiday house of a very low cost with a simple and profitable space organization and capable of lodging three rooms (one in mezzanine), a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom.

The project was developed in the way it would produce the most inner-space versatility and reveal a strong attention to its final cost because of the succinct and basic way of intervention. The project had to undergo some adaptation during construction period to adjust to the contractor’s technical capability and production means. During this adjustment period the low-cost and low material impact philosophy was maintained.

The alternative and approved work proposal maintains the spirit of the project using materials with a minimum transformation and resistant to erosion. Wood in the walls, ceilings and frames and cement (with water repellent) in the raw was used for the floor given the building a natural, simple look. The two coats of enamel paint, over the wood, serves for its protection.

The building was studied in order to maintain the thermal comfort in a passive way, being assured its good cross-ventilation. The chosen white colour for the entire building assures its interior thermal stability.