A 19th-century Portuguese colonial building in Sal Rei, Cape Verde, has been transformed into Casa Sodade, a cultural center and restaurant that preserves the architectural heritage of Boa Vista Island. The restoration project, completed by estudio treze in 2020, demonstrates how historic preservation can be successfully combined with modern cultural programming to revitalize urban landmarks.
The building, originally known as Casa Nho Padre, was constructed during a period of economic prosperity for Boa Vista and stands prominently on Amílcar Cabral Street. This urban frontage is characterized by remarkable morphological coherence and high-quality Portuguese colonial architecture that reflects the island's historical significance. The 287-square-meter structure held strong symbolic importance within the local collective memory, making its preservation a priority for the community.
The rehabilitation project emerged from a collaborative effort between the Parish of Santa Isabel, which owns the property, and private investor Cristiano Libardoni. This partnership between ecclesiastical and private entities mobilized resources, knowledge, and energy to prevent the building's continued deterioration and ensure its integration into the city's active cultural life. The collaboration demonstrates how diverse interests can be aligned for the benefit of urban heritage preservation.
Architects Óscar Suárez and Daniel Armas structured their intervention around three fundamental principles: safeguarding the building's structural and formal integrity, revaluing its original constructive language, and activating it through new cultural and gastronomic programming. The design approach aimed to enhance the spaces without compromising their authenticity, creating a sustainable model for heritage reuse that could be replicated throughout Cape Verde.
The restoration process faced typical challenges associated with heritage projects, including the lack of detailed historical documentation. The architects conducted meticulous architectural analysis based on direct examination of construction elements and stratigraphic interpretation of accumulated interventions over time. They identified various problematic alterations from recent residential and commercial uses, including mismatched deteriorated floors, modern low-quality joinery that had replaced original carpentries, and inappropriate use of cement and synthetic paints incompatible with traditional materials.
From a technical standpoint, the restoration prioritized traditional construction techniques and reversible solutions that respect the building's heritage value. The team used hydraulic lime, local stone, treated wood, and brick as primary materials, reserving modern products only for specific cases requiring complex technical solutions. The comprehensive restoration included roof and structural repairs, anti-xylophagous treatment for wooden elements, replacement of cement plasters with lime mortars, and faithful restoration or reproduction of original carpentry work.
The interior design, developed through collaboration between Estudio Treze and interior director Cristiano Libardoni, recovers the essence of an old Portuguese colonial townhouse. The design combines noble textures, traditional materials, and carefully selected furniture that resonates with the building's original architecture. White limewash was applied to restore the building's characteristic brightness and maintain its chromatic harmony within the urban fabric, ensuring visual continuity with neighboring colonial structures.
The spatial organization respects the pre-existing L-shaped layout, connecting the main volume with two patios that serve as environmental cores for natural lighting and ventilation. The ground floor features an open, permeable design that accommodates a café-restaurant and cultural space, taking advantage of direct connections with the exterior courtyards. The arrangement facilitates both dining and cultural activities while maintaining the building's traditional spatial relationships.
The upper level, accessible via the patio staircase, houses Casa da Memória, an intimate museum that integrates traditional objects, furniture, and utensils in direct dialogue with the original architecture. This cultural programming transforms the building into a living repository of local history and traditions, ensuring that the restoration serves both preservation and educational purposes. The museum displays create meaningful connections between the building's past and its contemporary cultural function.
The project achieves a precise balance between conservation, contemporary use, and cultural relevance without imposing a new architectural order. Instead, the intervention reveals and updates the existing spatial and structural logic, demonstrating that heritage buildings can be successfully adapted for modern uses while maintaining their historical authenticity. This approach serves as a model for sensitive heritage restoration that respects original construction techniques and materials.
Beyond its specific architectural achievements, Casa Sodade aims to serve as a replicable model for the recovery and enhancement of built heritage throughout Sal Rei and Cape Verde. The project offers a viable path to reverse degradation processes that threaten many of Boa Vista's architectural landmarks, which face increasing pressure from abandonment and real estate speculation. The success of this restoration demonstrates the economic and cultural viability of heritage preservation in developing island contexts.
The transformation of Casa Nho Padre into Casa Sodade represents a significant contribution to Cape Verde's cultural infrastructure and architectural preservation efforts. By combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary programming, the project ensures the building's future sustainability while honoring its historical significance within the local community.
