Article source: PROMONTORIO

The project is the outcome of an invitation in 2005 of a family-based wine-making and agro-business company to master plan an innovative resort concept that would combine the rural experience of wine and olive oil production, with the amenities of leisure destination.  With 66 hectares, the site is in the vicinity of the whitewashed town of Montemor-o-novo, in the Alentejo, near the UNESCO-listed city of Évora.  Located on a gentle valley facing South and overlooking the skyline of the town’s medieval castle, the master plan was devised in a system of clustered villas and terraced row-houses reminiscent of the former agricultural compounds of the Alentejo, known as “monte”, which literally means “mount” or “hill” in English; an etymological reference to its topographic condition.  In addition, a small lake cools the air and is used for leisure activities besides serving as a sustainable water-retaining basin for agriculture.

Image Courtesy © PROMONTORIO

• Architects: PROMONTORIO
• Project: L’And Hotel
• Location: L’And Vineyards resort, Montemor-o-novo (Alentejo), Portugal
• Software used: ArchiCad
• Interior Design: Studio MK27 w/ PROMONTORIO
• Landscape Architecture: PROAP
• Gross Built Area: 2,064 sq.m (main building) and 900 sq.m (townhouse suites)
• Project Status: 2005 (master planning) – 2011 (built and opened to public)

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