19 March 2013
A small abandoned building at Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, in the Azores, has been converted into a center for the interpretation of the local culture and environment. In addition to introducing visitors to the environmental values of the surrounding landscape, the center offers a guide to the architecture of the place. The building consists of two blocks linked by a staircase: the main block houses the collective activities, while the annex has been turned into an apartment. The materials used are typical of the local tradition: exposed basalt for the facades and wood for the finishing. New elements of contemporary architecture have been added to the preexisting sash windows. Water is supplied by a well, which has been reactivated, and a fireplace has also been restored for heating and cooking. The result is a building that blends perfectly into its surroundings, uniting the past and present of the area.
