Fábrica da Manteiga has preserved a strong pre-existing structure, reflecting the typical architecture of the region. Despite its advanced state of ruin, the original building has been maintained, with special care taken to rehabilitate its pathologies, structurally reinforce the walls, repair the roof, and ensure the necessary finishes.
The interior, completely transformed, retains the two existing floors, now adapted for a new purpose. The lower floor houses a kitchen, storage, and a large living room, while the upper floor has been designed with three en-suite bedrooms. This new intervention does not aim to recreate the previous environment, given the proposed new use, but rather to highlight the contrast between old and new by creating a separation between the structures. The rooms on the upper floor, set back from the exterior walls, allow natural light to flow through, emphasizing the new construction, which appears to be suspended, supported by horizontal metal beams.
The exterior of the old butter factory has been preserved, staying true to the original. However, the volume corresponding to the old bakery was beyond rehabilitation. The solution was to preserve its layout, volume, and formal characteristics.
Although this new volume retains the original layout and roof, it is clad in wood paneling with larger openings, affirming its contemporary nature. The two volumes, old and new, come together in a close formal relationship, blending harmoniously into the tranquil, unspoiled landscape that surrounds them. Fábrica da Manteiga House now asserts its contemporary presence, respecting its history while clearly integrating into its time.