191 Cazito

Cazito is the name of a rural plot situated in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém, on the banks of the Campilhas Dam in the Alentejo. On this plot – on a slope overlooking the dam to the west – there were two century-old single-storey constructions made of adobe. Both were in a state of ruin. One of the buildings served as a house, whilst the other was used as an animal store and storeroom. In accordance with current planning regulations, the construction of a new dwelling could only utilise the exact footprint of the two existing buildings.

The design aim was to transform the two existing buildings into a single house, with interconnected interior and exterior spaces. The house has two distinct interior areas that can be used together or separately.

The larger area houses the main functions of the house: living room, kitchen and bedroom. The smaller area serves as an extension, according to the time of year and the number of people living there.

Between these two areas, and also in their eastern and western extensions, there is a pergola that unites the whole house and transforms the outdoor spaces into covered terraces open to the landscape.