Porto, Portugal
Located in Porto’s riverside area, Descobertas Boutique Hotel occupies one of the oldest medieval buildings of the Sociedade Mercantil Industrial, which had previously undergone structural rehabilitation for more recent use. Its transformation into a hotel was the Kauri Group’s investment in the city of Porto. Developed based on the project by architect António Barbosa | R31J, the interior architecture carried out by PPS, within a vintage industrial environment shaped by the site’s memory, is—according to the client’s intention—an allegory to the Portuguese Discoveries. Through the representation of goods traded at the time, which could have been stored in these buildings, the PPS project sought to respond to the client’s vision.
Each of the five floors represents a different continent, with distinct elements applied to convey the culture of each geography. Based on a printed cement-pattern design used throughout the building, a different and subtle motif related to each culture appears on every floor. The different continents are expressed through the adaptable elements of the project, in decorative details common to all rooms but varying according to their origin, including ornaments, artworks, and cushions. This approach allowed for a consistent base and visual identity, creating a comfortable environment while subtly introducing the imagery of different cultures and enabling guests to connect with the story being told.
Adapting this building—set on a narrow plot within a medieval urban layout—into a 20-room boutique hotel presented an additional challenge, particularly in integrating service areas, technical systems, and materials that comply with current safety, environmental, and acoustic regulations.
