Regresso às origens: um projecto de reabilitação

Abstract

The topic of architectural heritage rehabilitation has been gaining more and more debating space within the subject of Architecture. From a sustainability point of view, the use of the existing abandoned building is of the utmost importance, which can be of architectural, cultural and historical interest to a whole community. Thus, this dissertation explores the operative field of architecture in the case of intervention upon the existing building, through a rehabilitation project of a mid-eighteen century manor house, affected by time and lack of attention, located in the Douro Verde regions, more specifically in Penhalonga, in the municipality of Marco de Canaveses. Though an extensive and through working method, including a detailed and rigorous investigation process of the housing complex, this project reflects on several questions and constraints underlying the intervention and clarifies and puts into practice the theoretical investigation which was carried out and enriched with other distinct case studies, which functioned as methodological references for the project. Perceived as an intervention of several disciplines, this study also goes into the study of the project site aiming at coordinating and stimulating tourism and the agricultural potential of the area in order to make investments profitable and to consolidate the perspectives for the future. This dissertation aims at showing the relevance of rehabilitation and heritage conservation by adapting a building to new needs and, simultaneously, revitalising and valuing its cultural, historical, natural and architectural features.