Boa Nova Tea House
Álvaro Siza Vieira · Matosinhos, Portugal · 1963
Boa Nova Tea House sits low among granite rocks above the Atlantic at Leça da Palmeira. Designed by Álvaro Siza and completed in 1963, it draws visitors along an indirect approach before opening the interior toward the sea. White walls, timber details and tiled roofs establish a close relationship with Portuguese building traditions, while the plan is carefully adjusted to its rugged site. Siza also designed elements of the interior and furniture. The building's architectural effect depends on the movement between compressed arrival spaces and the longer, brighter outlook from the dining rooms. Visiting: A restaurant in a municipal heritage building. Dining requires a paid reservation. No general public admission ticket is implied.