Olhão – The Cubist City Preview

Address: Rua Teófilo Braga 25, Olhão
Architect: SENA Architects
Photos: © SENA Architects

About the project

Casa Pires is one of the most remarkable historic buildings in the centre of Olhão. A stone-and-lime house is documented on this site from as early as 1715, making it possible that the building was among the town’s earliest substantial or mansion-like houses. The date 1848, still visible on the façade, does not indicate the original construction date but refers to a major renovation carried out that year.

The building is an example of the evolution of Olhão’s traditional urban architecture. Originally conceived as a larger urban residence, it has two historic floors, with a contemporary structure added above. The ground floor has long been associated with commercial activity, while the upper floors were used as living spaces.

One of its most distinctive features is the continuous first-floor balcony, with its elegant decorative ironwork. The building once housed the Pires clothing shop, giving the house its present name and linking it to the commercial history of the street.

When Romy & Markus Brändli and Dieter Zwicky acquired the neglected building, they wanted more than a conventional renovation. Their aim was to restore the house’s dignity and character, while allowing it to function as a contemporary building.

SENA Architects approached the project as a dialogue between old and new. Historic elements were retained and repaired wherever possible, while the new addition was designed as a contemporary layer rather than as a pastiche of the original architecture.

The result is a building that illustrates an important aspect of Olhão today: preserving the city’s architectural memory does not necessarily mean freezing it in time. Carefully designed new interventions can become part of the continuing story of the historic centre.

Today, Casa Pires contains commercial spaces at street level and two apartments above, with the new upper structure adding contemporary living space while respecting the proportions and character of the historic building.

Look closely at the façade: the 1848 date, the iron balcony and the relationship between the historic masonry and the contemporary addition reveal the different layers of Casa Pires’s long history.

.

Address: Rua Gaibéu 32, Olhão
Architect: Filipe Monteiro

About the project

Casa do Angolu is a small but charming example of how Olhão’s traditional townhouses can be carefully adapted to contemporary life.

Located in the heart of the historic centre, close to the waterfront, this one-bedroom apartment occupies the ground floor of a traditional townhouse. The building has been recently restored in the local architectural style, retaining the intimate scale and character that are so typical of the old streets of Olhão.

The apartment has its own entrance directly from the street, opening into a generous living space that combines the sitting, dining and kitchen areas. The separate bedroom includes its own basin, shower and WC. Large openings connect the interior with the street and a picturesque little square outside.

The project is a good example of a type of intervention that is becoming increasingly important in Olhão: small-scale restoration rather than wholesale redevelopment. Instead of replacing the traditional house, the project gives it a new life while maintaining its relationship with the street and the surrounding historic fabric.

The simplicity of the building is part of its charm. In Olhão, architecture is not only found in grand buildings or ambitious new projects. Much of the city’s character comes from modest houses like this one, where proportions, white façades, openings and the relationship between private life and public space create the distinctive atmosphere of the old town.

Around the corner — São Gelados

Before reaching Casa do Angolu, look to your right for São Gelados, a small artisan ice-cream shop run by Nelson.

The shop is known for its colourful ice creams made with fresh fruit and intense natural flavours. One of its specialities is “Creme Florentina”, a flavour associated with the famous culinary traditions of Renaissance Florence.

The story traditionally connects this type of creamy frozen dessert with the court of the Medici family and Catherine de’ Medici, who later became Queen of France. It is also often associated with the Florentine architect and court artist Bernardo Buontalenti, who is credited in popular accounts with developing an early form of creamy gelato.

Whatever the exact history, the flavour itself is worth trying. Its distinctive combination of bergamot, lemon and orangemakes it particularly refreshing.

So don't walk straight past — take a short detour and try the “Architect's Ice”.

Then return to Casa do Angolu and continue your architectural journey through Olhão.

Address: Rua Gaibéu 14, Olhão
Architect: Filipe Monteiro

About the project

Casa do Gaibeu is a charming example of a traditional white townhouse in the historic centre of Olhão, just a short walk from the waterfront.

Located on a small plaza in the old town, the house has been carefully restored, bringing back many of the qualities that make Olhão’s traditional architecture so distinctive. Vaulted ceilings, tall windows and characteristic rooftop terraceshave been retained or restored, while the interior has been adapted for contemporary living.

The house is organised vertically, making clever use of the narrow urban plot. The ground floor contains two bedrooms, each with its own private shower room. The main living space, with kitchen and dining area, is located on the first floor, creating a more open and social space above the quieter bedrooms.

The third bedroom is tucked away on the rooftop terrace, almost like a small private hideaway. It has its own independent access from outside, adding another layer to the house’s unusual vertical organisation.

But the real attraction is above.

The rooftop has been transformed into a private outdoor living space, complete with a swimming pool and comfortable seating for enjoying the sun. From the upper terrace, there are views across the rooftops of Olhão towards the sea and the surrounding landscape.

This is where the character of Olhão’s traditional architecture becomes particularly clear. The roof is not simply the top of the house: it is an additional living level, a terrace, viewpoint and social space. The stepped roofs and terraces create the distinctive three-dimensional landscape that has made Olhão famous as the “Cubist City.”

Casa do Gaibeu shows how this traditional way of living can be preserved while being adapted to contemporary expectations of comfort and privacy.

And the top terrace?

The views, the light and the atmosphere are difficult to describe. You really have to experience it yourself.

Address: Rua do Pinheiro 7, Olhão
Architect: Filipe Monteiro

About the project

Casa da Jolena is a beautifully restored traditional whitewashed townhouse in the heart of Olhão’s historic pedestrian quarter, close to the famous markets and the waterfront.

The house occupies a corner position on a small plaza, giving it a particularly open relationship with the surrounding streets. Recently renovated in the traditional local style, it retains the intimate scale and characteristic appearance of Olhão’s old town while providing a comfortable contemporary interior.

The house is organised across several levels — a typical feature of Olhão’s compact historic houses. The entrance at street level leads directly into the first-floor living area, where the living room, kitchen and dining space form one generous open area.

The larger of the two bedrooms is also located on this level. It has its own basin, shower and WC, as well as a small balcony overlooking the street.

The second, smaller bedroom is located on the level above and has its own bathroom facilities. From here, the house continues upwards to a sequence of two rooftop terraces.

The first terrace provides space for outdoor dining. Climb a little further and you reach the highest terrace, with a comfortable seating area and superb views towards the sea.

This vertical sequence is one of the great pleasures of traditional Olhão architecture. Rather than spreading horizontally, the house makes use of its height: street, living space, bedroom, terrace and viewpoint become a continuous journey upwards.

The rooftop is therefore much more than an extra outdoor space. It is the place where the architecture of the house connects with Olhão’s wider landscape — the white rooftops, the waterfront and the sea beyond.

Casa da Jolena demonstrates how a modest traditional townhouse can offer a surprisingly rich way of living when its vertical character is understood and carefully restored.

Look up as you walk through Olhão. The journey to the sea often begins on the street and ends on the roof.

.

Address: Travessa António Bento 10, Olhão
Architect: Filipe Monteiro
Photos: © O Convento & Filipe Monteiro

About the project

Hidden at the end of a narrow lane, just steps from the waterfront and the markets, O Convento looks surprisingly modest from the outside. The real surprise comes when you step inside.

The entrance opens onto a beautiful inner courtyard with colonnades, tiled floors and a central fountain. The courtyard extends over two floors and opens towards the sky. In winter, it can be covered, creating a sheltered interior space.

The atmosphere may remind you of a monastery, hence the name O Convento. But the building has a very different history. It was formerly used as a dormitory for women working in Olhão’s fishing industry, connecting the building directly with the social and industrial history of the town.

During the renovation, the exterior façade was largely preserved, while the main transformation took place inside. The former dormitories around the courtyard were converted into comfortable guest rooms.

The interior courtyard was inspired by Moorish and North African architecture, with its emphasis on courtyards, shade, water and tiled surfaces. This fits naturally with Olhão’s architectural character and its historic connections with North Africa.

The rooms are spacious, predominantly white and partly furnished with antique furniture, while the generous marble bathrooms add a contemporary touch.

A narrow spiral staircase leads to the upper floor and the roof garden, with several terraces and a pool. From here, you can look across the white rooftops of Olhão towards the lagoon and the islands of the Ria Formosa.

O Convento is a fine example of adaptive reuse: an old building is given a new life without losing its connection to the history and character of Olhão.

The best part? The most surprising architecture is hidden behind an almost ordinary façade.

Address: Rua Teófilo Braga 38/42, Olhão
Architect: Cok (Jacob) Bakker
Photos: © 301sunnydays

About the project

This impressive house was built in the early 19th century for a wealthy merchant. Although it was once a substantial residence, by the time it was discovered by its current owners it had seen much better days.

For many years, the building had been used as a fishermen’s nightclub, but it had been closed for more than 30 years. Inside, the once-grand house had been divided into a series of small rooms, separated by remarkably low walls of only 1.60 metres high.

The renovation transformed the neglected building into a spacious and elegant contemporary home while retaining its historic character.

One of its most striking features is the large patio, which is connected to the interior by an enormous floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door. The patio is dominated by an impressive bougainvillea, which climbs and meanders through several levels of the house.

The home makes clever use of the traditional vertical structure of Olhão. Several floors are connected by terraces and outdoor spaces, creating a sequence of intimate places to sit, eat and enjoy the Algarve climate.

Higher up, there is a small swimming pool, sunbathing and seating areas, and a mirante offering wide views across the rooftops of Olhão.

The house now contains six rooms and six shower rooms/bathrooms, combining the scale of the original merchant’s house with the openness and comfort of contemporary living.

Casa Sandra & Justin is a good example of how a historic Olhão townhouse can be transformed without losing its identity. The building’s past remains visible, but its new life unfolds around light, space, patios and the rooftops.

Address: Rua das Ferrarias 24, Olhão
Architect: SENA Architects
Photos: © SENA Architects

About the project

Casa dos Gelados is a renovation, extension and interior design project in the historic centre of Olhão. The building dates from 1920 and has undergone several changes over the years.

The architects, SENA Architects, set out to restore the building’s original spatial and architectural identity, while adapting it to contemporary living. Rather than erasing the traces of the past, the project makes use of the existing structure, its different volumes and the way the spaces are organised.

One of the strongest features of the project is the extensive use of natural and locally sourced materials, many of them worked by local craftsmen. Traditional materials and techniques are combined with a clean, contemporary design, creating a balance between Olhão’s architectural heritage and a modern way of living.

The renovation also makes clever use of pre-existing elements. The original garage, for example, was retained. A garage is particularly valuable in the historic centre of Olhão, where parking space is scarce.

Casa dos Gelados shows that restoring an old house does not necessarily mean turning it into a museum piece. By respecting its existing structure and combining local materials, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, the architects have given this 1920 house a new life while keeping it firmly connected to the character of Olhão.

Address: Rua 31 de Janeiro 24, Olhão
Architect: SENA Architects
Photos: © SENA Architects

About the project

Located in the oldest street in Olhão, Casa Barreta is a typical fishermen’s cottage that has been organically rebuilt and extended over more than 150 years.

In the 1970s, the house underwent another major renovation. The upper floor was enlarged and many of the original features were covered up or removed, reflecting the architectural taste of the time, when traditional details were often considered “old” and “ugly.”

Fifty years later, SENA Architects took a very different approach. The 1970s “modernisation” was removed, the façades were carefully cleaned and the original structures were brought back into view. Covered windows were reopened, unnecessary internal divisions were removed, stairs were reorganised and the spaces were opened up.

By opening the house towards the exterior, the renovation brought in much more light and fresh air. This was particularly important because the previous layout had created numerous interior rooms with little or no direct access to windows.

Because Casa Barreta lies within Olhão’s historic centre, the choice of materials was particularly important. The renovation follows the standards normally associated with protected historic buildings: solid wooden windows and doors, limestone renders, traditional terracotta floors and locally sourced stone.

Most of the materials were locally produced and handcrafted. The project therefore goes beyond restoring a house: it also supports the local crafts and traditional building techniques that still produce these distinctive materials.

Casa Barreta is a striking example of how removing rather than adding can sometimes be the best way to restore a historic house — revealing the architecture that was there all along.

Address: Rua 31 de Janeiro 28, Olhão
Architect: SENA Architects
Photos: © SENA Architects

About the project

The Marmalade House was the first project by SENA Architects in Olhão, completed in 2014. Located in Bairro da Barreta, one of the city’s most characteristic neighbourhoods, the house was renovated as a holiday rental while preserving as much as possible of the original building.

The house is estimated to be around 150–200 years old and was constructed using traditional materials such as local stone, lime and vaulted brick ceilings. The architects deliberately chose to respect the existing structure and the traditional architecture of this historic part of Olhão.

The building is a good example of the city's Cubist architecture, with its simple façade, stone details, platibanda and flat roof terrace, or açoteia. These roof terraces are a characteristic feature of Olhão and were traditionally used for activities such as drying almonds and figs.

The architecture of Olhão also reflects a strong Moorish and North African influence, visible in the compact houses, flat roofs, terraces and relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

During the renovation, several historic details were discovered. Rather than covering them up, the architects chose to expose and restore them wherever possible. Traditional local materials were used throughout, including lime, a material that has become increasingly uncommon in modern construction.

The two-storey layout is simple. The bedroom occupies the ground floor, in its original position, helping to keep it naturally cool during the hot summer months. The vaulted tiled ceiling was restored and new sanitary facilities were added.

The upper floor contains the kitchen and living room, including a restored wall with exposed stonework. On the roof terrace, a pergola creates a shaded outdoor space overlooking the traditional rooftops of Olhão.

The roof terrace is finished with characteristic Santa Catarina tiles, adding another distinctly local element to the project.

The Marmalade House is a modest intervention, but an important one: rather than replacing the old house with something new, the architects revealed, repaired and celebrated what was already there.

​

Address: Rua Dos Micanos 26

This medium-sized house consists of a ground floor, with an additional bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. This upper level, or mirante, is set within a flat roof, which serves as a terrace and sun deck.

The compact layout combines the main living functions on the ground floor with a more private space above. The flat roof extends the living space outdoors, creating a generous terrace and sun deck.

Address: Rua Dr. Miguel Bombarda 40
Architect: SENA Architects
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Amor & SENA Architects

Casa Amor is a boutique hotel in the historic centre of Olhão, created around the idea of an authentic local experience.

The project occupies an original 19th-century building whose architectural character reflects the memory, history and identity of the city. The building was formerly home to prominent local residents and later housed the well-known Pensão Helena.

The approximately 1,000 m² building is in the traditional Urban / Casa Nobre style and consists of two floors with a setback upper level. The former guest house occupied the first floor, while the ground floor contained retail and commercial spaces.

The building is now being transformed into Casa Amor, with nine luxury suites and high-quality services. The ground floor will accommodate a restaurant, patisserie and corner shop. At the rear, a large patio with an arcade occupies the site of the former garage, with an olive tree at its centre.

The roof has been redesigned to include a hotel apartment, a sun terrace with views over Olhão, and a swimming pool.

Architecture & renovation

The original building is a vaulted (abóbada) structure, characteristic of traditional construction in the Algarve. During the renovation, the existing exterior tiles were removed and replaced with stucco, giving the building a more restrained architectural appearance.

The building has been thoroughly renovated and reorganised to create larger, more contemporary spaces while respecting its historic character. Where appropriate, traditional materials and details have been retained or reinterpreted, including window frames, doors and balconies.

The new rooftop construction uses a lightweight metal system, clearly distinguished from the historic structure. A specially designed wooden entrance door, together with bespoke fittings and furniture, completes the architectural identity of Casa Amor.

Address: Rua de São Sebastião 31
Architect: Studio ODS
All photographs: Copyright © Studio ODS

The project involves the rehabilitation of an existing house built at the end of the 19th century. Located in a traditional fishing district on the western edge of the historic centre of Olhão, the house occupies a compact 90 m² plot.

The house retains many original elements of Olhão’s vernacular architecture, strongly connected to the city’s ancestral fishing culture. Despite numerous alterations over the years, it was possible to rediscover and rehabilitate original features including the patio stairs, the observation deck on the roof, the vaults, and the limestone ashlar masonry.

Only after the demolition of illegal additions and the removal of industrially produced tiles was the natural beauty and spatial quality of the original house revealed. Successive additions had progressively blocked natural light and ventilation. The load-bearing walls, built in caliça stone masonry, were found to be in excellent condition and could therefore be preserved in their entirety.

A patio was created by opening up one of the interior compartments of the house, allowing light and natural ventilation to reach the centre of the building. This new element transforms the relationship between the house, the exterior and the public space, turning it inward towards the courtyard at the heart of the home.

The alcove, accessible only from the patio, provides an informal additional space for sleeping, reading, sitting or meditation. On the first floor, two rooms have contrasting relationships with the public realm: one faces north towards the main street, while the other faces south towards the alley. At the centre, both rooms connect to the patio through openings of different shapes, dimensions and materials.

The use of Santa Catarina tiles, white marble in selected elements, white-painted wooden window frames and wooden entrance doors finished in natural dark-blue oil paint seeks to reinterpret the balance between authenticity and simplicitycharacteristic of the Algarve’s vernacular architecture.

Address: Rua Almirante Reis 55/57
Architect: Saudade
All photographs: Copyright © Saudade

What began as a request from the new owners for a few small improvements quickly developed into the complete renovation of the house, including the terrace and the interior decoration.

This historic 200 m² house consists of a first floor with very high ceilings, together with a bedroom and bathroom on the rooftop terrace, which offers panoramic views across the city.

The original flooring throughout the house has been carefully restored, as has the large stone staircase. The wall stucco was repainted to repair damage caused by time and years of inadequate maintenance.

The owner was able to preserve the beautiful stucco-and-stone balustrade, thanks to a local craftsman with specialist knowledge of this traditional technique. The kitchen and bathrooms were completely renewed, combining modern comfort with the character of the original house.

The ceilings, with their original decorative mouldings, were carefully repainted to bring out every detail. The interior decoration has restored elegance and personality to this century-old house, which had gradually lost much of its original charm through neglect.

Address: Largo São João de Deus 4/8
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Guestmar

Located in the historic centre of Olhão, Casa Guestmar occupies a building dating from the early 19th century, commissioned by a local canning entrepreneur as a gift for his daughter.

The house has been carefully and fully restored as a guest house, while preserving its original character and layout. Its historic features include two vaulted spaces, 3.10-metre-high ceilings and a large central staircase.

The elegant original façade has been fully preserved, as have the main entrance door and all the original interior doors. The restoration combines the building’s historic character with its new use as a guest house.

Address: Rua Dr. Carlos Fuzetta
Architect: Jaime Coutinho
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Fuzetta

Casa Fuzetta is one of Olhão’s most important historic houses and one of the largest of its kind. With architectural elements dating back to the 19th century, the main house was commissioned at the end of the century as a gentleman’s residence by Dr Carlos Fuzetta.

Dr Fuzetta was a remarkable local figure: a maritime lawyer, philosopher and philanthropist. His importance to the town is reflected in the large commemorative plaque placed on the façade of his former home — a rare honour in Olhão.

After his death, the house was divided and suffered years of serious neglect. It nevertheless remained part of the town’s collective memory. Older residents still remember the building as the former home of the electricity board, where they went to pay their first electricity bills.

Today, Casa Fuzetta has been restored as an exceptional private residence, available exclusively throughout the year for retreats, events, holidays and photo shoots.

The house contains more than 1,000 m² of interior space and 560 m² of exterior space, including:

• 12 rooms, each with a large en-suite bathroom
• Rooftop swimming pool and pool bar
• Rooftop yoga decks and indoor yoga space
• Meditation room
• Two massage and treatment rooms
• Multiple terraces and outdoor seating areas
• Games room with pool table
• Large winter living room with open fireplace
• Library opening onto a central courtyard
• Large contemporary domestic kitchen
• Industrial preparation kitchen on the ground floor
• Large entrance hall
• Laundry

The renovation brings new life to one of Olhão’s most distinctive historic residences while allowing the building to function as a contemporary retreat without losing its connection to the town’s history.

Address: Rua Padre António Trindade 2 / Travessa da Trindade
Architect: Saudade Architects

Petit Village was conceived as a small urban renewal project, transforming a neglected corner in the centre of Olhão into a new residential development. The charming apartments, designed to resemble individual small houses, are the result of a collaboration between Saudade Architects and Imoart.

The project explores how a residential complex can adopt the appearance of traditional Algarve architecture while using contemporary construction techniques. The houses are built using a Light Metal Structure system, combining lightweight materials with a traditional architectural language.

The structure consists of aluminium profiles, finished on the inside with plasterboard and on the outside with plywood and insulation boards. The façades are then covered with a special thin layer of reinforced render, creating the appearance of traditional plastered walls.

Each house has a roof terrace and a distinctive block-shaped chimney, a characteristic element of Olhão’s traditional architecture.

There is also a small architectural surprise: tap lightly on the stucco and you can hear a hollow sound. Behind the render are insulation boards rather than conventional brick walls — a simple reminder that the traditional appearance conceals a thoroughly modern construction.

Morada: Rua Luís de Camões 25 / Travessa Luís de Camões
Arquiteto: SENA Architects
Todas as fotografias: Copyright © SENA Architects

A Casa Delgado é um projeto de ampliação e reabilitação de um edifício residencial existente de dois pisos, situado no centro de Olhão, num lote de esquina. Datado do final do século XIX, o edifício conserva elementos históricos característicos, incluindo abóbadas, paredes de pedra e cal, estuques e rebocos, bem como elementos decorativos na fachada.

O edifício original encontrava-se num estado avançado de degradação e em risco de colapso após um incêndio de grandes dimensões. O princípio fundamental do projeto foi, por isso, tratar o edifício como um todo e introduzir uma nova estrutura de suporte, de modo a estabilizar a construção existente antes de qualquer alteração ou ampliação.

As fachadas existentes são preservadas e reabilitadas sempre que possível. São introduzidas novas aberturas segundo um ritmo cuidadosamente proporcionado, permitindo a entrada de mais luz natural no interior e respeitando simultaneamente o carácter das fachadas originais.

Ao entrar na Casa Delgado pela Rua Luís de Camões, encontra-se um hall imponente coberto por uma longa abóbada de berço. Este conduz à área de distribuição dos três quartos. A configuração original foi mantida para preservar as abóbadas existentes. Cada quarto funciona como uma suite, com casa de banho e espaço de roupeiro próprios. Este piso inclui ainda uma arrecadação e uma garagem — uma vantagem valiosa numa cidade onde o estacionamento é limitado.

O segundo piso, gravemente danificado pelo incêndio, será totalmente remodelado, mantendo-se as fachadas. Será o principal piso de estar, organizado como um espaço aberto com sala de estar, cozinha e casa de banho, complementado por um pátio exterior com piscina.

A cozinha é concebida como um módulo em forma de caixa, em torno do qual se desenvolve a circulação. Uma grande ilha separa a zona de estar da zona de refeições.

Em direção ao pátio, três grandes arcos estruturam a fachada interior e conduzem a três espaços exteriores. Estes incluem uma pequena cozinha exterior, uma zona de estar e uma piscina com jacuzzi. Aberturas cuidadosamente posicionadas estabelecem uma ligação visual entre a piscina e a fachada principal, integrando-a na arquitetura e tornando-a visível a partir da rua.

Address: Rua da Liberdade 1A
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Ceu

Built in 1940, the building was originally known as the Ladeira Building, named after the Ladeira family who commissioned and built it.

The house is a fine example of Modernist architecture with Art Deco influences. Its two-storey design is characterised by streamlined white stucco façades, horizontal bands, large window and door openings, and concrete balconies.

Today known as Casa Ceu, the building was formerly used as Alojamento Local (AL). Its most distinctive feature is the large uncovered rooftop terrace, offering beautiful panoramic views across Olhão and its characteristic Cubist Cityscape.

Address: Avenida da República 27
Architect: SENA Architects
All photographs: Copyright © SENA Architects
t

Casa Rosa, known locally as the Pink House, dates from the early 1950s and has been a familiar landmark on Olhão’s main boulevard for many decades.

In 2017, Colum and David discovered the property and immediately fell in love with it. Its central location, just a five-minute walk from the port and waterfront market, convinced them that it was the perfect setting for a private villa.

After a complete refurbishment, the property reopened in 2022 as a luxurious nine-bedroom private villa hotel, with a swimming pool and large terraces.

The concept combines the character of a traditional Portuguese quinta — a walled country estate — with the atmosphere of a Marrakech riad, creating a distinctive contemporary retreat in the heart of Olhão.

Address: Rua das Lavadeiras
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Artistica

Casa Artistica is a remarkable two-storey building in Eclectic / Romantic style, rooted in Olhão’s industrial and cultural history.

The building was once the home and company headquarters of the Italian Cocco family, owners of a local canning factory. Its transformation began when Alexandra Gonin, a Parisian ballerina, acquired the property and gave it a completely new purpose: a cultural centre for exhibitions, ballet classes, workshops and other artistic activities.

The restoration was carried out by Alexandra together with friends, with great care taken to preserve as many original architectural details as possible. The beautiful wooden windows, some arranged as double windows opening onto balconies, were restored as close as possible to their original appearance, including their natural stone surrounds. Alternating wooden and steel doors reinforce the building’s former industrial character.

The identity of the building is proudly expressed in the relief lettering “Casa Artistica & Conservas de Artes”, a direct reference to both its new cultural role and its industrial past.

The façades combine white stucco walls, decorative parapets and natural stone corner details, together with French balconies and arched door openings. Above, a spacious rooftop terrace with a sun canopy provides an open-air space for enjoying the Algarve light.

Casa Artistica is therefore more than a restored historic building: it is a place where Olhão’s industrial past has been given a new cultural and artistic life.

Address: Rua Carlos da Maia 16
Architect: SENA Architects
All photographs: Copyright © SENA Architects

The former Art School in Olhão was created as a place for creative holidays, combining accommodation, art and outdoor living in the historic centre of the town.

The project consisted of two interconnected houses: the School House and the Pool House, both renovated by David Clarke, founder of the Art School.

The two houses are connected across several levels. The School House, with eight bedrooms, could accommodate up to 16 guests, while the Pool House provided four bedrooms for up to nine guests.

The buildings are organised around two patios, one of them featuring a beautiful 150-year-old olive tree. A network of indoor and outdoor staircases winds through the different levels, creating a continuous connection between the spaces.

At the top, the stairs lead to a small rooftop swimming pool with views over the neighbouring Pool House and the characteristic rooftops of Olhão’s Cubist Town.

The Art School was recently sold by its founders and the buildings are now undergoing renovation, marking the beginning of a new chapter for this unusual property.

.

Address: Rua Manuel Tomé Viegas Vaz 1
Architect: Atelier RUA
All photographs: Copyright © Atelier RUA

Casa Dois is a transformation of an old warehouse hidden within a city block in the historic centre of Olhão. Rather than replacing the existing building, the project by Atelier RUA seeks to preserve its character and reinterpret the qualities of the original structure for contemporary living.

Olhão is a former fishing town whose urban character reflects a strong Islamic architectural influence. Its historic centre developed as an irregular and organic network of narrow streets, small courtyards and overlapping volumes, creating the distinctive cubist architecture for which the town is known.

The existing two-storey warehouse is a good example of this compact urban tradition. Its high ceilings, vaulted spaces and rooftop terrace are characteristic elements of the local vernacular architecture. The design therefore starts from what is already there, preserving and enhancing these qualities rather than imposing a completely new structure.

The intervention transforms the former utilitarian warehouse into a contemporary home while maintaining the atmosphere of the original building. The vaults and generous ceiling heights give the interiors a strong sense of space, while the rooftop terrace provides an outdoor extension of the house and a connection with the surrounding cityscape.

The project is also a reflection of the way Olhão has evolved. Old warehouses, workshops and modest houses are increasingly being given new functions, while their architectural identity remains visible. Casa Dois demonstrates how careful adaptation can breathe new life into an existing building without erasing its history.

The result is a contemporary interpretation of Olhão's traditional architecture: compact, inward-looking and closely connected to the characteristic urban fabric of the historic centre.

Address: Travessa Pacheco 7
All photographs: Copyright © Casa Fleur de Jasmin

Casa Fleur de Jasmin is a charming example of a traditional Olhão house, tucked away in the narrow streets of the historic fishing town. The two-storey house retains the intimate scale and simple architectural language that characterise the traditional homes of Olhão.

The white stucco façade is framed by simple architectural surrounds and retains its original proportions and understated character. The original door and window openings have been carefully preserved, while the restored wooden doors and windows, with interior shutters, reinforce the authentic atmosphere of the house.

The interior is organised over two floors, with the different spaces opening towards two terraces. These outdoor areas provide a welcome contrast to the compact urban setting and create additional places for living, relaxing and enjoying the Algarve climate.

One of the terraces has been designed as a sun deck, offering a view across the characteristic rooftops of Olhão — the distinctive Cubist Town, where flat-roofed houses, terraces, chimneys and small rooftop structures create a unique and almost sculptural cityscape.

Casa Fleur de Jasmin demonstrates the quiet beauty of Olhão's traditional architecture: simple façades, whitewashed surfaces, carefully proportioned openings and a strong relationship between interior spaces and terraces. Rather than relying on elaborate decoration, the house derives its character from its proportions, materials and connection to the historic fabric of the town.

Address: Rua Pacheco 5
Architect: SENA Architects
All photographs: Copyright © SENA Architects

Located in the heart of Olhão’s historic centre, Casa Pacheco is a typical fishermen’s house in the former Bairro dos 7 Cotovelos, now known as Lavante.

The house underwent major alterations during the 1990s, when the upper floor was enlarged and many of its traditional architectural features were removed or covered. The recent renovation takes a different approach: rather than adding another contemporary layer, it seeks to reverse the modernisation of the 1990s and recover the character of the original fishermen’s house.

The façades have been carefully cleaned, removing later materials that had concealed the original structure. The aim is not simply to make the house look old again, but to reveal and restore the architectural identity that had gradually been lost.

Because Casa Pacheco lies within Olhão’s protected historic area, the materials used in the renovation were carefully selected according to standards similar to those applied to listed buildings. Windows and doors are made from solid wood, wall renders use limestone, floors are finished with traditional terracotta tiles, and the stone is locally sourced.

Where possible, materials are locally produced and handmade. This choice is part of the architectural philosophy of the project: restoring the building while also supporting the local craftspeople and small industries that continue to produce these traditional materials.

Casa Pacheco therefore represents more than the renovation of a single house. It is an example of how the architectural heritage of Olhão can be restored through local knowledge, traditional materials and respect for the original building, rather than through imitation or superficial decoration.

Address: Rua Francisco Mendes 10
Architect: SENA Architects
All photographs: Copyright © SENA Architects

The Salt House is the rehabilitation of a building approximately 120 years old, located in Bairro dos Sete Cotovelos, one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Olhão.

Over the years, the traditional character of the house had almost completely disappeared. Different types of ceramic tiles had been applied to the façades, apparently corresponding to different floors, while glazed extensions had been added to the building. These later interventions gradually concealed and altered the original architecture.

The main objective of the renovation was therefore to recover as much as possible of the character of the original house. The façades were completely restored, with the later tile coverings removed and the traditional materials brought back: white lime render, local stone masonry and wooden window frames.

The upper floor was reorganised to create a rooftop terrace, while three new openings were introduced to allow more natural light into the interior. These relatively simple interventions have a significant effect on the relationship between the house, the sky and the surrounding historic neighbourhood.

Inside, the house was completely renovated and the spaces reorganised to create a more generous and contemporary living environment, while respecting the scale and character of the original building.

The programme is compact and clearly organised over two floors. The ground floor contains the shared living spaces, with a kitchen and living room. Upstairs are the bedroom and bathroom, with access to the rooftop terrace.

The Salt House is a good example of a recurring approach to the rehabilitation of Olhão's historic houses: remove what was added over time, reveal what was hidden, and use traditional local materials to restore the identity of the building. The result is a contemporary home that remains firmly rooted in the architectural heritage of Olhão.