Located on a volcanic island in the Portuguese Azores, this Pico Island home integrates modern architecture with rocky ruins. Designed by Inês Vieira da Silva and Miguel Vieiera of SAMI Arquitectos, the cozy vacation house was under development for a decade. Previously a living space where animals lived below, the E/C House is now a two story structure for a Coimbra-based couple.
The Pico Island home has dark gray basalt stone walls with white and gray interiors. Featuring a gabled roof, the house also has floor to ceiling windows in the living room and four bedrooms where the walls are lined with timber and built-in shelves. Some of the openings line up with the former ruins, "creating new frames and relations with the original limits of the house."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Incorporating Ruins in Architecture
- Architects can explore ways to integrate old and ruined structures into modern architecture for a unique aesthetic and environmental preservation.
- Geological Elements in Design
- Designers can experiment with incorporating geological features like stones or rocks into home interiors and exteriors for a natural and earthy ambiance.
- Sustainable Vacation Homes
- Prefabricated homes created with sustainable materials and designed with eco-friendly features can be popular choices for vacation homes.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- Architects can create new designs that incorporate ruined structures and natural elements for residential, commercial, and public spaces.
- Interior Design
- Interior designers can incorporate geological features like stones or rocks into home interiors and exteriors to create a natural and earthy ambiance.
- Real Estate Development
- Real estate developers can explore prefabricated and eco-friendly vacation homes to offer sustainable and unique options to their customers.
