Salvaguardar o património cultural, o testemunho do Solar de Engenho do Porto da Cruz

Abstract

The aim of this work is to propose a project for the revitalization and rehabilitation of a building representative of Madeira Island's vernacular architecture, emphasizing the importance of historically grounded intervention. It underlines the importance of understanding the social and economic context in which the building is situated, in order to develop solutions that adequately respond to current demands. The economic and social dimensions of the island are analyzed, with special attention to the role of wine, sugar, aguardente, and tourism in local development. The historical and social context of the Solar do Engenho complex is studied, allowing for a detailed understanding of the region's industrial and colonial evolution, particularly in the village of Porto da Cruz. This study results in the development of a project that integrates the Solar do Engenho complex into the village, proposing an alternative to the predominant hotel development model and promoting its reintegration into the urban fabric. For this purpose, a comprehensive study of local history and architecture is carried out, followed by a metric and photographic survey of the built structure, which serves as the basis for the project's development. The architectural proposal articulates the existing structure with contemporary needs and challenges. Furthermore, with the aim of providing renewed value to the complex and the local community, public-use facilities are introduced, ensuring the preservation and utilization of heritage often neglected on the island.