The Lince Santa Clara Hotel

The Lince Santa Clara Hotel is located within the premises of the former Convent in the city of Vila do Conde, overlooking the cluster of houses that extend towards the river and sea. The hotel features 87 rooms, social areas, two distinct dining services, and an interpretive center where exhibitions on the historical heritage can be admired. The project is based on the use of materials similar to those found in site, but adapted to distinct formal resolutions, allowing the new constructions to harmoniously dialogue with the old ones in a continuum of spatial and material coherence.

To function as a hotel, the building required an extension to accommodate the main technical and service areas that were incompatible with the preservation of the existing structure. Taking advantage of the surrounding terrain platforms and the level difference between the building and an adjacent street, underground floors were created, forming terraces for shared spaces. The connection between the existing building and the new was the greatest challenge. It was necessary to link all infrastructures and circulation routes internally—from the service entrance to the top floor of the existing building. A tunnel was excavated, posing risks of incidental archaeological findings, and had to be dug beneath the existing structure until it connected to the vertical service shaft. This connection reinforces the notion of discovering hidden spaces, evoking the myths surrounding the Convent and its religious order—rumors of secret passages beneath the river connecting to the builging.

The project’s greatest contribution to sustainability lies in extending the lifespan of materials that have been in place for centuries. In general, the intervention in the existing building consisted mainly of removing discordant elements and exposing interesting features that had been uncovered. Efforts were made to consolidate the pre-existing structure through the application of reinforcement products on the stonework, the replacement of sculptures at risk of falling, and the substitution of corroded iron fasteners and clamps with stainless steel components to ensure durability. The new construction is dedicated to support and technical areas, using conventional building systems that centralize the technical infrastructure, ensuring proximity and efficiency in facility management. The roof system was improved with enhanced waterproofing and thermal-acoustic insulation, as part of its adaptation to include new guest rooms.