hotel
MASTER'S PROJECT
Academic Merit Award : “Best Work, Best Classification in a Final Project – 2011”
The hotel industry has experienced a growing trend of repurposing existing buildings into hotel units. Contributing to this is the opportunity to give a new use to this structures, while providing a unique character to the hotel. By using these buildings, hotels can create a captivating atmosphere that highlights their individuality. However, while the reuse of historic structures is important, it is crucial to thoroughly assess the potential impact on their cultural and historical value.
The Master’s Thesis delved into a research on this subject, with a primary focus on tracing the origins and evolution of hotel typologies, as well as the growth and diversification of the tourism industry over the past century. The study also encompassed a comprehensive analysis of various concepts and methodologies employed in the preservation and renovation of historic buildings throughout different periods.
As a Case Study, the objective is to formulate a proposal for the requalification of the Convent of Santa Iria and the old College in Tomar, Portugal. These two distinct spaces, connected by a stone arch from the 16th century, are currently in a state of disrepair, and the aim is to explore the potential conversion of these areas into a hotel.
The Hotel program is intended to allocate two different audiences – those who live in the town, and those who visit it – locals and guests. The Convent area accommodates 35 guest rooms, as well as the reception, library, and café, while the College features the restaurant, SPA, and function rooms. The space is designed to be enjoyed by everyone, locals and guests, and instead of strict separation, the intention is to distribute the various uses throughout the site, connecting them with circuits lined with light, courtyards, and the essence of the “profound silence” that once filled the Convent.
COLLEGE
The original façade and entrances are preserved, while a new form emerges, carefully incorporating and building upon the existing architectural elements. The new space allows for a new interpretation of the façade – the repetition of the windows, with its interplay of light and shadow, is now perceived in seamless continuity, accentuating its rhythm. The façade is a membrane, an autonomous border between the new building and the old town that remains out there. The new volume, constructed in concrete, discreetly conceals itself behind this membrane, remaining invisible from the outside. The courtyard element, historically significant to the site, is once again recreated here. A series of distinct volumes, each serving its own purpose, are carefully arranged around this element. Strategically positioned openings allow natural light to illuminate the interior spaces, while outside, the expansive concrete surfaces reflects the sun’s path throughout the day and protects the interior from the intense heat. On the eastern side, a wall adorned with lush vegetation entices visitors towards the serene backyard garden, where a “hidden” pool is nestled amidst the opulent greenery, ensuring privacy and shielding from the surroundings.
CONVENT
The existing building is carefully adapted to the new use, while on the adjacent bare areas, two new volumes are created to accommodate the guest rooms. The first volume, next to the arch, mirrors the design of the convent’s cloister but in reverse – the circulation spaces are placed on the interior, while rooms are oriented towards the courtyard, benefiting from abundant natural light and views of the garden. The second volume, positioned at the garden’s edge, serves as a shield from the bustling town behind it and provides the bedrooms with scenic views of the garden trees, back-dropped by the sparkling river and the old mills on the other side.
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