A Former Fish Warehouse in Portugal Is Reimagined as a Brilliant Villa Filled With Light

Atelier Rua and Studio Stories transform an old building in Olhão, Portugal, into a minimalist guesthouse with arched doorways, a rooftop terrace, and a private pool.

Jul 6, 2021 - 20:34

Atelier Rua and Studio Stories transform an old building in Olhão, Portugal, into a minimalist guesthouse with arched doorways, a rooftop terrace, and a private pool.

Portuguese architecture firm Atelier Rua and Belgium-based interior design firm Studio Stories teamed up to deliver a carefully renovated rental property in southern Portugal’s Algarve region where guests can unwind surrounded by rolling hills, vibrant villages, and pristine coastal views.

Casa Dois is one of three existing guesthouses from the new hospitality brand, the Addresses.

Photo by Francisco Nogueira

Located in the quaint fishing town of Olhão, Casa Dois marks one of three converted Portuguese guesthouses within a growing portfolio from the Addresses, a boutique hospitality brand. Its updated design is anchored in a philosophy that stays true to the region’s heritage and overall atmosphere. "The Algarve’s good weather and traditional lifestyle were relevant to the design," says Francisco Freitas, principal architect of Atelier Rua.

From the first-floor patio, an original spiral staircase leads up to the private rooftop terrace. — From the ground-level patio, an original spiral staircase leads up to the private rooftop terrace.
Photo by Francisco Nogueira

The two-story guesthouse features a private outdoor space on both levels to "recreate the social and leisure spaces of a traditional Algarve home," adds Ana Tomé, who works alongside Freitas as principal architect at Atelier Rua. The outdoor gathering spaces also help to bring natural light inside the guest residence—a feat the architects achieved by taking advantage of the former warehouse’s existing architectural elements.