Senior Thesis:
Herança Boutique Hotel
and
Ouro do Mar Marisqueira
Paço de Arcos, Lisbon, Portugal
Herança Boutique Hotel Reception Desk, Rendered, 2025
Just 16 kilometers from Lisbon, Herança Boutique Hotel and its restaurant, Ouro do Mar Marisqueira, breathe new life into a once-abandoned royal palace in the seaside town of Paço de Arcos. This project reimagines the historic site through the lens of cultural tourism and adaptive reuse, preserving its heritage while meeting the rising demand for unique accommodations in Portugal in light of its recent tourism boom.
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The site, Quinta do Relógio, was originally built in 1860 as a summer residence for Viscount Tomás Maria Bessone, designed by Italian architect Giuseppe Cinatti di Siena. The estate includes the main palace, two carriage houses, and the iconic clock tower that inspired its name.
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Herança Boutique Hotel Standard Guest Room, Rendered, 2025
The hotel and restaurant were designed around two interconnected concepts. The overarching concept was Filigrana, the Portuguese filigree artwork that is most often seen in traditional jewelry, clothing, and its iconic azulejo tiles. Filigrana inspires a sense of movement, intricate detail, and layering represented by romantic and botanical motifs. An inherent sense of light and airiness defines each space in the hotel, connecting it to its coastal location and the airiness of filigree works.
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Ouro do Mar was named after its concept. "Gold of the Sea" inspires a contemporary contrast from the hotel. Winding forms, gilded elements, and a rich, sea-inspired palette create a relaxed, coastal atmosphere, celebrating the spirit of Portugal’s coastal identity.
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Ouro do Mar Marisqueira Bar and Dining Space, Rendered, 2025
While the entire main palace was space planned, four focus spaces were further developed with furniture and finish selections: Reception and Lobby, Restaurant, Standard King Guest Room, and Rooftop Lounge.
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The design prioritizes storytelling through spatial flow inspired by the movement of filigree, creating a refined guest experience rooted in history. Each focus space tells a story of heritage, intimacy, and luxury, blending styles of the past with styles of the present.
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Material and furniture selections were made with sustainability and cultural considerations in mind. For this reason, all furniture and nearly all materials were sourced from local Portuguese artisans and manufacturers.
Herança Boutique Hotel Reception, Rendered, 2025
Herança Boutique Hotel Ground Floor Focus Spaces Floor Plan (Reception, Lobby, and Restaurant), Rendered, 2025
Herança Boutique Hotel Lobby, Rendered, 2025
Herança Boutique Hotel Standard King Guest Room Floor Plan, Rendered, 2025
Click below to view a gallery of images from this project, as well as my final research banner.​
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