Building with stone: sustainable strategies and innovative technologies for the regeneration of Vila Nova de Cerveira Castle through a dialogue between vernacular traditions and contemporary design.

The sustainable conservation and regeneration of historical heritage today constitute a central challenge for architects, planners, and communities, within a framework that demands the reconciliation of the value of traditional construction techniques with the requirements imposed by contemporary environmental, social, and cultural transformations. The integration of vernacular knowledge, such as the use of local materials and the revival of historical artisanal techniques in a contemporary key, represents a strategic approach to preserving the authenticity of places while assigning them new functions and meanings. From this perspective, stone, a foundational element in many historical architectures, emerges as a privileged material for experimentation, enabling a dialogue between traditional artisanry and new formal and constructive solutions, generating outcomes that unite memory and innovation. On these premises, the rehabilitation project for the Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira was developed within the framework of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) *Innovating from Tradition*, held between Cerveira and Porto from 7 to 12 July 2025. The project aims to restore vitality to a complex currently in a state of abandonment and subject to regulations that prescribe minimal, reversible interventions consistent with its historical identity. The proposal envisages the creation of a system of continuous pathways, articulated along and within the perimeter walls, designed to revitalise the internal functions and ensure the complex’s constant use, reinterpreting the existing spaces through new cultural, educational, and recreational purposes. Stone is reimagined through temporary micro-architectures in local granite, produced using contemporary cutting techniques and dry assembly. Positioned at strategic points, these installations establish a material and formal dialogue between tradition and innovation, creating observation points and rest areas. The planned interventions aim to integrate the castle with the surrounding landscape, fostering inclusive and sustainable enjoyment while strengthening the bond between heritage, territory, and community.