Palacete Soares Mendes, a 19th-century residence in central Portugal, has been carefully restored to reveal a dialogue between past and present. João Pombeiro, the architect behind its revival, found the palace by chance while strolling around Abrantes. Within minutes, an offer had been made, and his vision started taking shape. We happened to visit him some time ago to hear about the process and explore the town’s centre.
What sets Palacete Soares Mendes apart is its unique layout—a home without corridors. Rooms flow into each other, creating a rhythm that feels almost theatrical. This design style invites playfulness, and each room evolves with the needs of its occupants. There are endless possibilities for interpretation.
Restoring the palace was no small feat. Pombeiro’s approach was to bring a pragmatic side together with a reverence for history. Modern wiring and plumbing were discreetly integrated without compromising the plastered ceilings or the stone walls. The interiors, in turn, stand as a testament to his love for narrative. Rescued pieces, such as “a pair of fauteuils found on the sidewalk that needed some love”, coexist with curated artworks by Portuguese artists like Manuel Caldeira and Duarte Amaral Netto.
Abrantes, the town surrounding the palace, is a glimpse into the old Portugal. Though home to a modernist concert hall from 1947 and a convent-turned-museum overlooking the Tagus River, the town is somewhat off the grid and tucked away from the tourist scene.
For Pombeiro, Palacete Soares Mendes is an ongoing experiment. “I think it’s important to spend time and experience a space to make sense of it while it’s still in the making. It’s all part of the creative process,” he says. Understanding the pace of the past is essential for reimagining the future. His approach values what has been there for many years and is not built from scratch, highlighting the often neglected heritage of that region.
Words by Soraia Martins
Photography by Matilde Travassos
