FCC Arquitectura slots family home within stone walls of dilapidated farmhouse
The white walls of this modern family home by FCC Arquitectura nestle behind the deteriorated stone facade of a former farmhouse and granary in northern Portugal (+ slideshow).
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_38.jpg)
Local studio FCC Arquitectura gutted two farm buildings in the Porto municipality of Felgueiras to free up space for the new two-storey home, named Casa RM.
Given the poor condition of the aged buildings, the architects decided to demolish everything behind the thick outer stone walls and insert a new structure within.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_36.jpg)
A further white block extends from the upper storey of the structure onto a slope at the rear of the site. Sections of crumbling stonework bracket this building, which is partially split by a crevice in one side that separate the bedrooms from utility areas.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_35.jpg)
"The new volumes are developed and are born from the ruins," said the architects. "The new housing is located within these limits, like a loose box."
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_40.jpg)
Windows and pre-rusted steel doors in the new structure align with large openings in the stone walls, which are topped by steel I-beams.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_43.jpg)
Wide garage doors and a set of gates into a yard both open directly off the road. A flight of rusty external steps leads to a glass-fronted terrace above the yard, which is shielded from view by the sloping wall of an adjacent pathway.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_34.jpg)
The garage and utility rooms are located on the smaller ground floor that is partially embedded in the slope of the site.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
Stairs with glass balustrades rise into a funnel-shaped hallway on the upper floor, where a living room with a marble fireplace is flanked by a large window.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
Two walls project away from this glass facade to protect a stretch of decking by the living room and master bedroom.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_27.jpg)
The kitchen, pantry and dining room sit off to one side of the hall in the upper storey of the old building, while three bedrooms and bathrooms are located opposite.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Two low stone walls support a bank of planting and a pathway between the upper and lower levels of the site.
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_468_30.jpg)
Photography is by José Campos.
Project credits:
Architecture: FCC Arquitectura
Engineering: Paulo Oliveira
Builder: Adalberto e Filhos
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_1.gif)
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_2.gif)
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_5.gif)
![RM House in Felgueiras by FCC Arquitectura](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/01/RM-House-in-Felgueiras-Portugal-by-Fernando-Coelho_dezeen_4.gif)