Chá of Boa Nova House by Álvaro Siza

DATE

08.08.2025

Perched atop a cluster of rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean in Leça da Palmeira, north of Porto, the tea house not only sits gently on the terrain—it interprets it. The approach to the building, carefully choreographed by Siza, requires visitors to walk among the rocks, drawing them closer to the sea before entering the interior, making the path itself an essential part of the architectural experience.

The building is defined by a low, horizontal, and fragmented volume that adapts to the site’s rocky profile. From the outside, its ceramic tile sloped roofs and white walls echo traditional Portuguese vernacular architecture, while the interiors are finished with warm African wood carpentry that enhances the sense of shelter. The sequence of interior spaces, arranged at varying heights, frames carefully selected views of the ocean, capturing light and landscape in a near-cinematic way.

Functionally, the Boa Nova Tea House was originally conceived as a place for rest, contemplation, and gathering—a spot to enjoy tea by the sea. Over time, and after a period of abandonment, the building was restored by Siza himself in 2014 and transformed into a fine-dining restaurant led by chef Rui Paula. The intervention preserved the original materials and proportions, reaffirming the strength of the original design and its capacity to evolve without losing its architectural and emotional identity.

The Boa Nova Tea House has become a landmark in modern Portuguese architecture and a paradigmatic example of how Álvaro Siza fuses built form with the natural world. His way of working with topography, establishing a quiet dialogue with the surroundings, and designing spaces that appeal to the senses remains a timeless lesson in essential architecture. The project marks the beginning of a career rooted in delicacy, precision, and timelessness—values that continue to define Siza’s work today.

MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

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