“Eine Filmkulisse für die Seele, eine Puppenstube der Vergangenheit, ein Museum für die Sinne. Kaminzimmer, Bibliotheken, Räume so groß, so hoch, so unverwechselbar. In jeder Ecke antike Möbel oder zeitgenössische Kunst. Blaue Fliesen bis unter die Decke oder ein kleiner Altar mit flackernden Kerzen. Teppiche, die jeden Fuß verschlucken oder mächtige Dielen, über die eben noch Ritter, Seefahrer oder Adelige schritten. Der "Palácio Belmonte" greift ins innere Uhrwerk der Alltäglichkeit. Die Zeit steht still. Vollkommener Einklang und Harmonie.” Jane Melchert, 2006
The façades and materials
The 5 "façades" from 1640, which had been poorly anchored at the time, have been restored at each level, the angles tied-up with metal pins. All historical discoveries and traces of the evolution of the construction through the ages have been highlighted. The Palácio, being a very compact part of Lisbon on top of the hill of the Saint Georges Castle, we could not succeed in treating and re-using water - the use of renewable energy was also impossible, due to the fact that all roofs are visible from the Castle.
Nevertheless, the use of lime mortar - natural ventilation - low temperature central heating - sophisticated insulation of the roofs, floors and walls, double glazing - a lot of planning of the lighting, allowed us to use a maximum of 126 kWa for around 3.700 meters, reducing by ten times the usual consumption level of energy.
The old construction materials - wood - iron - roman tiles - stone was as much as possible re-used. Systems of modern communications have been installed - 3 telephone lines in each suite - (fax, internet, telephone) to optimize privacy. Associations of rooms per suite have been done to maximize the quality of natural lighting ventilation and to minimize noise effects. The garden has been totally redesigned and planted according to organic principles with usable and numerous local species, plants, fruit, trees, flowers.
The investment has been higher than expected . The Portuguese State, the city of Lisbon and the European Union participated.
Becoming an active member of the local community of Lisbon and of Alfama has been one of our most important goals. The social corpus of the area maintained, by keeping the 21 tenants under rent control living in the four adjoining buildings. Each of their 21 apartments has been restored with the financial and technical assistance of the City Hall bringing total modern comfort while keeping the rents at their present level. On January 22nd 2000 an exhibition room was opened to the public, the Café Belmonte and to the Lisbon City Hall was offered the selection of the theme of the exhibition each year during the month of June.
Six shops on the Largo do Contador Mor and 400 meters of boutiques room on Pateo da Baixa, presenting a selection of very good products from Portugal (olive oil, cheese, wine, bread, craftsmanship, etc...), parking, small conference center and social housing are planed to open.