Casas da Vereda
The complex, located in the South West Coast of Madeira Island and 200m above sea level with a stunning view over the Atlantic Ocean, is accessed through a small green welcoming patio on the north side of the property.
A stair leads down into the garden and opens the view over a small infinity-pool to the horizon.
Garden, pool and service areas are shared by three units:
The Rural House (Casa Rural) with its almost 60 cm thick Basalt stone walls is aprox. 80 years old and was refurbished, taking the interior walls out and adding an interior stair and bathroom.
The Small Barn (Casa Palheiro) also existed already but had to be completely rebuilt maintaining the original outside features. Due to the low ceiling height a mezzanine solution was adopted, with the bedroom upstairs, open to the main room and with a large window that gives access to the upper garden.
The Eco House (Casa Eco) is a new build and designed to be an energy efficient home. It features elements of traditional madeiran architecture and adopts it’s scale to create harmony with the other two units as this was demanded by the tourism office.
This is the biggest house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs and a large open kitchen/dining/living area.
Each room and even two of the 4 bathrooms offer ocean views.
Casas Da Vereda was designed to minimize its impact on the landscape and environment. A harmony between tradition and innovation was created and the choice of materials is local and natural, as cork (a national and ecological product) in parts of the façade and thermal insulation, Basalt stone from the island, hydraulic tiles, wooden windows and natural paints and plasters.
The garden shows a wide variety of exotic fruit trees and flowers at it's borders, and leaves a lawn for playing and sunbathing in the middle. A small permaculture vegetable garden on the side can be used by the guests just as the aromatic herbs and fruit of the main garden.
A small tank for making wine was restored and will be used when the new vines have grown enough.
Architect Dirk Mayer
Energy rating A+