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The New Pousadas (Historic Hotels) in Porto, Cascais, Lisbon and Madeira

2003 - Forte S Miguel, Luanda

Visiting Luanda in 2003, we designed a Pousada (historic hotel) in the ruins of Forte S Miguel which then dominated the city. It is one of the few historic military buildings in the area, and the extensive space inside the historic walls allowed for a 54 room hotel without piercing the skyline. It was designed around the ancient barracks whose old azulejos depict the conquest of Luanda from the Dutch. Sensitivities caused the project to be put on ice, where it remains.

Pousada da Cascais

The international competition for the conversion of the old Cascais Cidadela Fortress into a 130 guestroom hotel began in 2008. The project was developed with Gonçalo Byrne and João Gois over a 4 year period which involved numerous contacts with the historic buildings authorities (IPPAR/DCR) in order to allow the hotel to open in 2012. It holds numerous and has been published in various journals.

Pousada de Freixo, Porto

Conversion of the Palacio do Freixo and the old flour mills to create the Pousada do Porto, which opened in 2009. A number of design options were explored before this project was developed.

Quartel da Praia, Cape Verde

2008 Adaptation of the old barracks in Praia, Cape Verde for a Pousada. Located on the edge of Cidade da Praia, capital city of Cape Verde, stands the old barracks which overlook a deep and picturesque bay. A number of proposals have been made for the site and we looked to incorporate a Pousada (historic hotel) which would maintain the context of these simple buildings. Most of the accommodation would be built into the cliffs below the entrance level of the hotel.

Camara de Lobos Pousada

Views of the hotel at inauguration in 2019. The centre of the historic town of Camara de Lobos had long been dominated by the old fishmarket which had been rebuilt in the late 1970's. The very narrow site called for the design of a building which would integrate into the townscape and also meet the ideals of guests who enjoy the climate and the amenities any hotel needs to provide.

Pousada de Lisboa. Lisbon

The Lisbon Pousada is located on Praça do Comercio square in Lisbon. The former Interior Ministry was converted into about 90 rooms with generous public facilities and opened in 2014. It won a Conde Nast award within weeks of opening. Premio (Award) Vida Imobiliária Rehabilitação 2016

Pousada de Lisboa

We completed all project work for the Pousada in Lisbon and it opened in June 2015. The project won the Conde Naste award for best new arrival almost imediately. The building has 90 guest rooms and generous public areas, opening directly onto Lisbon's Praça do Comercio. Jaime Morais was the interior designer.

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