Before & After: In Menorca, a Family’s Crumbling Farmhouse Is Revived With Local Materials
Architect Gabriel Montañés brings in marés sandstone and indigenous plants to restore a 19th-century structure that sat abandoned for decades.
Architect Gabriel Montañés brings in marés sandstone and indigenous plants to restore a 19th-century structure that sat abandoned for decades.
On Menorca, the lesser known of Spain’s Balearic Islands, many locals consider traveling from one side of the island or the other—a distance of 46 kilometers (about 28.25 miles)—a considerable journey.
With endless turquoise beaches and pastoral fields, plus a diverse cultural heritage, perhaps there is little reason to go further afield. For one Menorcan family who decided to create a weekender on protected land in the island's interior, this certainly seems the case.
Before: Exterior
Before: The property had been abandoned for over 20 years.
Courtesy of Gabriel Montañés
"The property has been in my family for generations, but it had fallen into disuse over time" says the homeowner, who goes by the name of Joan. "We decided to renovate it because of its heritage, and the emotional link we have to it."
Before: An annex had been added for keeping cattle
Courtesy of Gabriel Montañés
For the project, Joan entrusted Gabriel Montañés. The architect has carried out a number of renovations on Menorca and is a disciple of Glenn Murcutt—the famed Australian advocate for local craftsmanship and respect for nature. "Montañés’s ability to integrate contemporary elements without losing the essence of Menorca was key," explains Joan.
After: Exterior
The garden was designed with as sustainable approach and a water-saving ethos. The trees and shrubs are indigenous, and gravels covers the ground.
Photo by Adrià Goula
See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: In Menorca, a Family’s Crumbling Farmhouse Is Revived With Local Materials
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