The intervention in the Bonifacio House—built in the 1980s—consisted of replacing 30 linear meters of load-bearing brick facade, which supported the reinforced ceramic vault roof, with a 33.5-meter steel beam resting on five in-situ cast reinforced concrete pillars, alongside a large glazed plane. This establishes a new relationship with the surroundings and revalues the pre-existing structure.

The new facade structure emerges stripped of its former skins. This systemic freedom allows a playful interaction among distinct aesthetic and functional entities: nine vaults, one beam, five pillars, and one plane.

Preserving the essence of the house, the reinforced ceramic vaults were fully restored and suspended by a new, deliberately detached “object.” Through contrast and contradiction, the beam emphasizes this core character. Unrelated to the original composition, the beam rests on five “alien” pillars—fictional stones. It is a dialogue that brings out the value of each element through pure expressive honesty.

The walls have been replaced, allowing a more seamless and generous integration between the north courtyard, the interior space, and the south garden leading toward the beach. The beam serves both as a support for the vaults and as a longitudinal tie, replacing the continuous tension element that was demolished along with the original load-bearing wall. On the inside, acting as an ‘inverted curtain wall’, a wide glazed plane extends even into the curved spaces directly beneath the vaults, highlighting their architectural presence and introducing far more natural light.

The five point supports were the result of an iterative, trial-and-error design process. Crafted on-site, the passage of time will continue to transform them with stains, shifting tones, and new textures—truly living, dynamic elements much like the traditional bricks themselves. They are handcrafted entities that celebrate beauty in imperfection.

Evaluating the intervention and its added value purely in terms of built surface area is limiting; it is perhaps far more compelling to consider the impact a facade transformation has on the overall structure. The project redefines the relationship between the house and its environment, celebrating structural beauty and functionality by elevating them into central design elements. The close collaboration with specialists and the meticulous execution showcase an approach where contemporary fiction seamlessly coexists with a rich historical context. Executed by Dieste & Montañez—masters of reinforced ceramic structures—it demonstrates technical and human excellence both on-site and in the studio, united by a shared goal: giving new life to this thin ceramic shell.