To Cook is a project that skillfully reimagines the extension of a restaurant into the spatial and material framework of a former single-family dwelling. The design concept is rooted in a compelling duality, where a solid concrete structure, placed in what was once a neglected and underutilized space, is followed by a lighter, more refined layer of plywood. This contrast between materials draws on the metaphor of a hermit crab: the exposed concrete body, like the crab’s outer shell, is strong and resistant, while the plywood interior, which occupies the pre-existing dwelling, is delicate and soft, reflecting a more intimate and sheltered environment.
The preservation of typological memory is a central theme in the project, with the old floor plan of the original dwelling leaving its imprint on the surface of the new dining room. This subtle gesture retains a connection to the history and identity of the building, merging the past with the present in a way that respects the former use while embracing a new function. The interplay between the new, resistant architectural intervention and the delicate insertion within the existing shell offers a sophisticated commentary on adaptive reuse, where spatial and material strategies foster a dialogue between old and new.
By preserving traces of the original architecture while introducing a distinctly modern layer, To Cook navigates the complex relationship between continuity and transformation, offering a thoughtful exploration of how contemporary design can inhabit and rejuvenate historical spaces.
2021
Location: Serra de São Mamede, Portugal
Programme: Restaurant
Surface: 200m2
Status: Built
Client: Private Photography: Federico Farinatti