On the 17th June 2017 a major wildfire started at Pedrógão Grande and spread through the forest to Figueiró dos Vinhos, Castanheira de Pêra, Sertã, Penela, Góis and Pampilhosa da Serra affecting around 500 houses (259 of which were primary homes). 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.

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, responsible for one of the major funds,  contracted Working with the 99%, Coop to provide technical assistance to the houses' reconstruction process, in which Ateliermob made the projects for 7 houses. More than just rebuilding the lost houses as they were, our main goal was to improve the living conditions of these communities, with particular attention to the fact that most of the population was elderly.

Deolinda Santos' House

Once considered the specific conditions of the remaining construction elements, that did not present minimal security conditions in terms of structure and had regulation issues regarding the height and areas, there was the need to demolish the whole preexisting building, despite being stone built.

In order to match the program with general criteria defined for all the houses to rebuild, we planned a single family house, with ground floor and attic. To the total volume, two parts were subtracted to create a covered porch to the south and a patio to the north.

The first space is a secondary entrance and a parking area; the second is an opening to the remaining plot with the barbecue area. Inside, the house develops on a single floor and gathers the rooms for a T3 tipology. The main entrance is marked by the presence of a fireplace, drawing a vestibule, and placed in between the living room and the dining room.

Material Used:

1. Coelho da Silva – Ceramic Tiles – Tecno Lusa

2. Cinca – Tiles – Nova Arquitectura

3. Extrusal – Windows – A/B.055

4. Projecto Mosaico – Flooring – Color

5. Vicaima – Doors - Portaro