The architectural concept responded to the estate’s extensive and varied program, including hotel rooms, restaurants, workshops, a pool, and vegetable gardens. The existing quinta was fully stripped back, with only the exterior walls retained, and new roofs and floor structures were introduced to reorganise circulation and room layouts. Four interconnected buildings were arranged to encourage fluid circulation between interior and exterior spaces and maximise natural light and views. The main Casa Mãe building, originating in the 19th century, was carefully restored to accommodate five guest rooms, reception areas, living and dining spaces, service zones, and pool facilities. A historic cistern in the basement was preserved and repurposed to store water for the estate’s irrigation system.

Two new structures were added with sensitivity to the terraced topography: the Horta Pavilion, discreetly embedded into the upper garden, houses three rooms across two levels, each with a private patio overlooking the productive garden; and the Jogo da Bola building, positioned at the lower street level, contains reception, restaurants, studios, a shop, and twenty-two guest rooms. Both new buildings were designed to reflect contemporary sensibilities while drawing from Algarve vernacular architecture- flat roofs, parapets, timber grilles, and traditional terracotta floors – allowing them to merge harmoniously with the historic context.

Throughout the estate, exterior spaces were restored and enhanced, including the terraced vegetable gardens, outdoor pathways, and multiple points of interaction between buildings, ensuring that the property functions as a cohesive and immersive experience. Materials, textures, and craft details were selected to celebrate Portuguese heritage, such as cabinetry from the north, hand-sun-dried Algarve terracotta, bespoke joinery, and timber façades inspired by traditional Algarve window grids.

Today, Casa Mãe stands as an early example of contemporary Portuguese hospitality grounded in local making and material culture. The project set a benchmark for boutique hotels in the Algarve, rooted in regional identity rather than imported formulas.

Casa Mãe was designed by CAN RAN Atelier.
Photography by Francisco Nogueira.