Casa Cabrela Is a Spectacular Modern Structure Surrounding Beautiful Stone Ruins

In the historic town of Sintra, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stunning-casa-na-areia-in-portugal-is-a-poetic-retreat-built-upon-sandy-ground/" target="_blank">Portugal</a>, the ruins of a centuries old <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-green-roofed-black-sheep-house-in-scotland-looks-out-to-sea/" target="_blank">stone house</a> remained untouched on a development lot. But rather than tearing it down to pile of rubble, <a href="http://www.organica-arq.com/" target="_blank">Organica Architects</a> built a new structure, Casa Cabrela, around the ruins. The new home merges the beauty of modernity with history, all in one stunning structure.

The original <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ruins-of-16th-century-spanish-house-converted-to-modern-academy/" target="_blank">ruins</a>, complete with stone doorway and windows, was preserved, but repurposed.

Since the ruin was lacking a roof, Organica was inspired to use the space as an enclosed outdoor area. Protective security grates were placed over the open windows, with a swinging gate for the door, making an elegant and historical stone entranceway, creating a rustic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/double-skinned-arca-regler-facility-powered-by-geothermic-probes/" target="_blank">open air foyer area</a>.

The new house emerges from the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-underground-museum-hidden-below-buenos-aires-government-house/" target="_blank">ruins</a>. The architects designed the façade to have floor to ceiling windows, which <a href="http://inhabitat.com/incredible-glass-office-gives-employees-a-bugs-eye-view-of-the-forest-floor/" target="_blank">floods the interior with light</a>. The windows also give the residents a view of the beautiful ruins, and also reflect them on the exterior.

The two level home extends around the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/white-house-scottish-ruins-transformed-into-modern-low-impact-home/" target="_blank">ruins</a>, with a garage located directly to the right of them. The main floor of the home houses an open living room, kitchen and small studio area, that overlook the ruins. The second floor is more private, housing two bedrooms.

The master bedroom, located on the front, makes use of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/art-collectors-flat-renovated-with-reclaimed-wood-from-the-rotterdam-rijksmuseum/" target="_blank">glass façade</a>, facing the top of the beautiful ruins, and extending above to catch a glimpse of a view of the surrounding landscape.

Casa Cabrela fuses the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitando-artists-give-new-life-to-abandoned-home-with-glowing-installation/" target="_blank">new with the old</a>, creating a modern residence with vantage points to admire the historical architecture of Sintra’s ruins.