Álvaro Siza transforms his 50-year-old Boa Nova Tea House into a seafood restaurant
Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza has renovated one of his most iconic projects – the waterside Boa Nova Tea House in his hometown of Porto (+ slideshow).
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_9sq.jpg)
Siza first completed the Boa Nova Tea House in 1963, just nine years after he founded his architectural practice. Now, 50 years on, the architect has transformed the space into a restaurant for Portuguese chef Rui Paula.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
Located approximately 300 metres from the road, the building is perched over the rocky terrain, facing down towards the seafront.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by Álvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
It has a gently angled plan, which divides the interior up into two wings. One provides a west-facing dining room, offering views towards the coastline for up to 40 diners, while the other accommodates an informal waiting room and bar at the southern end of the plan.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
Both of these spaces have been fully restored, retaining all of their original architectural features, from the comb-like wooden ceiling profile to the concrete piers that sit between each of the windows.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_7a.jpg)
New furniture was also made according to Siza's original design and materials, replacing those believed to have been destroyed during a storm in the early 1990s.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
These include leather-upholstered chairs and wooden serving trolleys, largely made using a red-coloured Afizelia wood that originates from Africa.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
The 50-year-old external surfaces, presenting a mixture of white-plastered masonry and exposed concrete pillars, have all been repaired so that they appear like new. The same goes for the clay-tiled roof, which has been entirely restored.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
As before, a double-height atrium provides the building's entrance. Visitors find their way to it by following a white stone pathway that steps up from the car park, leading past a series of large boulders.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
The kitchen, storage areas and staff room are all located at the rear of the building, partially sunken into the ground.
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_22.jpg)
The Boa Nova Tea House reopens to the public tomorrow. Located close to the Matosinhos fish market, it offers diners "the best fish and seafood in the world".
![Renovation of Boa Nova Tea House by ÁÁlvaro Siza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/07/Renovation_of_Boa_Nova_Tea_House_by_Alvaro_Siza_dezeen_468_24.jpg)
Photography is by Joao Morgado.