Renovation of the Andresen House

The Andresen House (Casa Andresen), formerly the Campo Alegre Manor, commissioned in the early 19th century by industrialist João Andresen, stands as a remarkable example of constructive innovation, particularly regarding its structural design and energy performance. The building’s strict Palladian layout is evident in its spatial organisation and facade geometry, all arranged around a grand main hall serving as the house's heart. This space houses the large whale skeleton, famously cherished by writer Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen when it was kept at the Faculty of Sciences. Natural light floods the hall through a roof skylight, accessible by a gallery reminiscent of a ship’s lookout.

Prior to restoration, a thorough inspection led by Engineer Aníbal Costa uncovered structural solutions that challenged conventional calculations. A load test, conducted with architecture students, validated the performance of these elements. Furthermore, a hygrothermal study by Engineer Vasco Freitas demonstrated that the original windows and shutters, although fitted with single glazing, still meet current energy requirements when complemented by an external curtain to regulate heat exchange.

The restoration was carried out with great care and respect, carefully reproducing original plaster and stucco finishes. The new staircase, discreet and elegant, winds gently through the interior, while the basement spaces were sensitively adapted for new uses, integrating seamlessly as if they had always been part of the house.