EXTERIOR WALL TILES, EDGE AND CORNER

Marinha Grande.

EXTERIOR WALL TILES

Marinha Grande.

WINDMILL

Windmill in Alqueidão, Portugal. In these years of massive proliferation of wind turbines ravaging the countryside landscape, stands this modest windmill which not too long ago was fully functional grinding wheat to make flour. Clay pots fixed to the spokes create an eerie sound which was useful to track the direction of the wind.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011 EDITION - MAKING BREAD

A number of Portuguese households have wood-fired ovens built in. Making bread at home is something which obviously came out of necessity, but today simply yields the most delicious mouthwatering bread immagineable. The loaves come out piping hot and crunchy, and are delicious with a little salted butter. They keep their freshness for days, contrary to bread out of even the finest bakeries. The ingredients are basic: water, wheat flour, salt and leaven, mixed entirely by hand, pounded by strong arms for about 20 minutes. The result is close to perfection.
Merry Christmas!

GATE COVERED IN ZINC

PORCH

Private Residence, Batalha

Most of what is seen in the photo is relatively recent construction added on to an old house. The columns came from the stone workshop in Batalha, where new pieces are made every time a replacement is needed at the famed monastery.

BIG HAY BARN

Hay Barn, Batalha

These hay barns used to populate the Centre West area of Portugal. Literally called "Big Hay Barns" - palheirões - they are like proto greek temples in their configuration and formal simplicity, derived almost solely from funcion. Besides the side piers and the timber roof structure, they harbour grid-like wooden structures which are used to keep the straw bales bound together. The open construction allowed for both ventilation and protection from the rain.
The proportions are also simple and logical: roof pitch is close to a golden section ratio, and the piers are as tall as the roof. On the sides, the space between the piers is as wide as it is tall (minus the overhang of the roof).
Now that no one stacks hay anymore, they are mostly used as tool sheds, garages, stables or poultries, etc, and most times the walls are filled in - this example is one of the rare few who kept its purity of form.