correia/ragazzi arquitectos restores sotheby's algarve HQ

in portugal, correia/ragazzi arquitectos has renovated a structure in the algarve town of carvoeiro to host sotheby’s real estate headquarters. in order to accommodate the new program, the existing building — photographed here by fernando guerra — was completely transformed, with internal walls removed and structural elements reinforced.

all images by fernando guerra

as the building had undergone alterations and modifications in recent years, correia/ragazzi sought to restore the scheme to its original appearance. the architects also added a decorative cornice, a feature common to other structures in the region. guests enter the sotheby’s HQ at ground level, where public access leads visitors into a double-height hall with a distinctive white sculptural staircase.

a double-height hall includes a white sculptural staircase

directly above, on the upper floor, a skylight not only provides daylight and a greater sense of space, but also recalls the design of many of the region’s traditional buildings. at the rear of the property, a new volume finished with the same materials as the existent building, contains a small kitchen, again illuminated via a skylight from above. for both structures, the design team employed traditional building techniques and sourced local materials in order to establish a coherent relationship between old and new.

the ground level is partially illuminated via a skylight

white walls and fixtures have been used throughout the design

the existing building’s internal walls were removed and structural elements reinforced

the design team employed traditional building techniques and sourced local materials

a new volume finished with the same materials contains a small kitchen

the architects added a decorative cornice, a feature common to other structures in the region

the new volume is located towards the corner of the plot

the renovated structure is located in the algarve town of carvoeiro

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correia ragazzi arquitectos sothebys real estate headquarters carvoeiro algarve portugal designboom

project info:

name: sotheby’s
location: carvoeiro, portugal
site area: 150 sqm
construction area: 255 sqm
promoter: sotheby’s real estate
architecture: correia/ragazzi arquitectos
collaborators: francisco tavares ascensão, juliano ribas silva, rita breda
structure and foundation engineering: ALCEPI engenharia
hydraulic engineering: ALCEPI engenharia
technical facilities engineering: lusoclima
electrical engineering: acácio cerqueira gabinete de projectos
project dates: 2014-2016
photography: FG+SG — últimas reportagens