Restoration of the Palácio dos Condes do Vimieiro in Arraiolos, Portugal, Completed with €3.1 Million Investment

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The restoration plan coordinated by Spanish architect João Barros Matos and submitted by the real estate company Santorini – Sun Invest has been selected for the restoration of the Palácio dos Condes do Vimieiro in Arraiolos. The project aims to transform this currently ruined ancient palace into a new cultural center centered on orchestral music, with an estimated investment of approximately €3.1 million.

The restoration project is promoted by the Arraiolos City Council and supported by the Order of Architects. The Palácio dos Condes do Vimieiro was acquired by the local government in 2021. The jury's final report noted that the winning proposal stood out for "integrating a new building that respects and enhances the historic structure, prioritizing a discreet and restrained intervention rather than competing with the original architecture." The proposal also considered the transformation of the adjacent gardens, integrating them into the future use of the building complex and reinforcing their role as a public leisure space.

The evaluation report emphasized that the proposal demonstrated an "exercise in restraint" when introducing new building volumes, reflecting a deep understanding of the palace's original architecture and identity. The jury considered the proposal one of the most effective in reconciling the different needs of the functional program, ensuring clear circulation, intuitive use of spaces, and overall coherent organization. The proposal's attention to energy efficiency was also highly praised, as it provided a consistent response to contemporary challenges in heritage restoration, combining sustainability standards with the preservation of this property listed as a Municipal Interest Heritage.