The Andam's House: A Holistic Renovation

Creating Beauty, Truth, and Value through Intuition and Authenticity

Quintela's work method is intuitive, with the sites themselves being his real clients. He spends a significant amount of time carefully listening to the sites, allowing them to speak softly to him and reveal how they want to be rebuilt. As a spokesperson for the sites, Quintela assumes the core responsibility of knowing how to listen and create in a way that fulfills their unique requests. The challenge in the Andam's House renovation was to infuse the intervention with the holistic morphology of the place, ensuring a seamless integration of the old and the new.

The simplicity of materials and their connection to each specific location is a fundamental aspect of Quintela's architecture. He believes that genuine beauty lies in simplicity and authenticity, both in architecture and in human beings. The Andam's House renovation is a symbiosis between traditional and contemporary building techniques, combining form, function, space, light, and materials in a harmonious manner.

The intervention took two years to complete and is situated in Lugar do Andam, Porto de Mos, Portugal. This privileged and tranquil area in the countryside offers breathtaking views of the mountains. Quintela's research for this project went beyond the standard assumptions of a renovation. He aimed to understand the intangible qualities, myths, legends, policies, and humanity of the place, allowing these aspects to shape the design.

One of the key challenges Quintela faced was to avoid imposing architectural forms derived from other places and instead appreciate the physical and social context of the Andam's House. He approached the project as an existential dimension, emotionally, intellectually, and subconsciously involving himself with the place. By doing so, Quintela contributed to the transformation while respecting the spirit of the location.

The Andam's House renovation is a testament to the evolution process of architecture, interconnecting the phases of adaptation, transformation, and crystallization. Through a holistic concept, Quintela worked with the disorganized energies of the abandoned house, assimilating and organizing them to create a structure that embodies the essence of the place. The result is a space that not only meets the client's requirements for privacy, brightness, and fluidity but also reflects the historical context and the spirit of the location.

Image Credits: Pedro Quintela

Awards and Accolades: The Andam's House was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2017 in the category of Architecture, Building, and Structure Design. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Andam's House stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world through fulfillment and positive feelings.