tiago do vale architects conceives dovecote granary as a 'treehouse-temple'

in ponte de lima, the oldest chartered town in portugal, tiago do vale architects has overhauled an existing 19th century structure to create what it describes as a ‘treehouse-temple’. ‘the dovecote-granary is a place of serenity and introspection, where one can establish a strong connection with both nature and oneself,’ explains the design team. ‘without a conventional function the space is its own purpose.’

all images by joão morgado

tiago do vale’s design expands upon northern portugal’s maize granaries, which were traditionally built in pairs and positioned over granite bases. a common roof, housing a dovecote, united both structures. meanwhile, the space between the two granaries was used to dry cereals, with two huge panels controlling ventilation. ‘this incredible design was an unusual but smart combination of three very common vernacular typologies (granary, dovecote, drying shed) that are still part of our collective memory,’ say the architects. ‘the execution, unfortunately, was not without its problems.’

the architects describe the project as a ‘treehouse-temple’

although the rotten oak wood was unsalvageable, its presence allowed the architects to carry out a piece by piece reconstruction of the former structure. however, as there is no longer any farming on the property, the design team worked to create a building that would cater to present-day requirements. as such, the project has no specified use or prescribed function. ‘it will be what the nature of the space lends itself to be,’ the architects continue.

two new wooden staircases lead inside both granaries

in order to secure the structure, cross-members were inserted in strategic locations. two new wooden staircases lead inside both granaries, while interior stairs make the dovecote fully accessible for the first time. ‘the dovecote-granary is now a sanctuary among the tree canopies, an iconic shape in the rural landscape of the minho region,’ concludes tiago do vale. ‘the experience of the dancing leaf shadows, the gentle crossing breeze and the birds chirping in a late summer afternoon fully defines its new purpose, function and use.’

maize granaries were traditionally built in pairs and positioned over granite bases

the design team carried out a piece by piece reconstruction of the former structure

the building has been designed to cater to present-day requirements

the project has no specified use or prescribed function

structural cross-members were inserted in strategic locations

interior stairs make the dovecote fully accessible for the first time

the dovecote can be used as an office or workspace

the project has been conceived as a ‘sanctuary among the tree canopies’

at night, the building glows from within

video courtesy of tiago do vale architects

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project info:

name: the dovecote-granary
architecture: tiago do vale architects
architecture team: tiago do vale, maría cainzos osinde, with maria joão araújo, camille martin, eva amor, hugo quintela
project year: 2015-2016
program: leisure
location: ponte de lima, portugal
client: antónio paulino, casa do cruzeiro
construction: josé amorim lima, l.da
construction year: 2017
footprint: 183 sqf (17 m2)
construction area: 452 sqf (42 m2)
furniture: galpão, vintage alternative store
photography: joão morgado