Pedrógão | House Neil & Kate

On the 17th of June 2017, a major wildfire broke out in Pedrógão Grande, and spread through the forest to Figueiró dos Vinhos, Castanheira de Pêra, Sertã, Penela, Góis e Pampilhosa da Serra, affecting 500 houses (259 of which were primary residences). 64 people died trying to escape the fires.

Following the tragedy, citizens and institutions made donations to help the reconstruction of the houses and lives affected by the fires. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, responsible for one of the largest funds, contracted a Cooperativa Trabalhar com os 99% crl. (Working with the 99%, Coop), to provide technical assistance in the process of reconstruction, in which Ateliermob produced the project of seven houses.

Recuperated by its owners shortly before the fire, the house with two floors follows the structure defined by the existing stone walls and the original programmatic organisation. Although with a few alterations in order to preserve the safety conditions and comfort defined in the current legislation, and following the pre-existing geometry and maintained porches, reference spaces for the residents.

The main entrance is accessed from the upper floor, by a ramp that stands out as the main alteration introduced, guaranteeing universal access to this level where one can find the central social area and access to the lower level where the bedrooms are found. The covered exterior space gives the possibility of a living space and working in direct contact with the garden where part of a tree remains.