A historic building dating from the late 19th century has been successfully restored on the Portuguese beach of Praia da Granja, near Porto. The former Assembleia da Granja had stood forgotten for many years and was falling into increasing disrepair. The architectural practice Lousinha Arquitectos has breathed new life into it. Today, the building serves as a residential property.
The history of Portuguese seaside resorts
The Assembleia da Granja occupies an entire block in the central part of the town of Vila Nova de Gaia and was built in the late 19th century, during the heyday of Portugal’s seaside resorts. At that time, Granja attracted the country’s intellectual and aristocratic elite. Among those who visited were King Carlos I and Queen Amélia, as well as writers such as Eça de Queirós and Camilo Castelo Branco. The atmosphere of this place is captured in the words of Ramalho Ortigão, who described Granja as “the finest and purest seaside resort in the whole country”. The Assembleia da Granja building was part of it, which is why it enjoyed immense popularity and considerable prestige.
What exactly was the Assembleia da Granja?
To understand the significance of this building, one must consider the specific nature of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Assembleia da Granja functioned as an elite meeting place, comparable to the social clubs found in other European resorts. Balls, concerts and cultural events were organised here, setting the tone for the summer season on the Atlantic coast. The building served as a hub of social life, a place for the exchange of ideas and the forging of relationships amongst the upper echelons of society, whilst simultaneously cementing the town’s status as a highly fashionable resort.
Renovation by Lousinha Arquitectos
Political and economic changes in the country led to the closure of the building in the second half of the 20th century. Over 40 years without proper maintenance or renovation brought the once magnificent resort club to the brink of collapse and ruin. Unfortunately, the damage proved so extensive that when the task of saving the building was finally undertaken, demolition proved unavoidable. However, the architects from Lousinha Arquitectos decided to highlight the history of the site and faithfully recreate the most important elements of the structure. They paid particular attention to the details, as these are what define the building’s character. The stones from the main façade were marked, dismantled, and then reassembled in their original layout and shape. This process allowed the original sections of the former Assembleia da Granja to be preserved.
Old and new in a successful dialogue
The restored building now functions in conjunction with the new section. Its most striking feature is the sculptural brise-soleil (French for ‘sun-breaker’), whose irregular rhythm brings to mind the branches of the old trees surrounding the site. From the outset, the project had no intention of blurring the boundary between the new and old Assembleia da Granja. On the contrary, the architects ensured that the differences were clearly discernible, introducing the layered nature of its rich history into the building.
Assembleia da Granja – building composition
The layout of the building is defined by an axis running from east to west. It indicates the directions of movement within the building and leads through an internal courtyard reminiscent of a monastic cloister. It is here that daylight and natural ventilation are concentrated, reaching the communal areas and individual flats. The courtyard is hidden from view to outsiders and only reveals itself once one enters the interior of the complex. Its presence is surprising, making a visit to the building intriguing and encouraging further exploration.
A new function within old walls
The restored complex of the former elite meeting pavilion now houses 14 flats and two commercial premises. The varied layouts offer both compact studio flats and apartments with mezzanines or wide terraces facing the ocean. The underground level occupies almost the entire site and, thanks to skylights and glazed entrances, is well lit.
The rear of the building before and after the redevelopment. Photo: Google Maps
The project has closed the gap in the building frontage along the back street, which had been vacant for many years. A railway station has recently been built next to the building as part of the modernisation of the entire coastal network. The renovated heritage building is once again bustling with life and serves as a reminder of the great history of this unassuming place.
Design: Lousinha Arquitectos
Location: Praia da Granja, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Area: 3,595 sq m
Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio
Read also:Architecture | Historic building|Makeover|Renovation|Interiors|Portugal
