Restoration of stone walls and wooden ceilings in historic fincas

The Valencian Community is home to invaluable architectural heritage. From farmhouses (alquerías) of medieval origin to representative buildings in historical centers like Sagunto. However, intervening in these centuries-old structures is not conventional construction work; it is a meticulous process that requires combining absolute technical rigor with great heritage sensitivity.  

At Bersife, we understand that restoring means recovering history to project the future. Whether transforming an estate into a luxury villa or adapting a space for a new public use, our approach is based on deep respect for the raw materials and intelligent structural consolidation. This is how we bring these buildings back to life:  

1. Enhancing the raw materials: Walls, arches, and stone

The first step in a historical intervention is to free the building from incompatible modern additions (such as Portland cement) to discover its true skin.

As we carried out in the Casa dels Berenguers, the intervention seeks to highlight existing constructive elements, such as thick load-bearing walls, stone arches, carpentry, and the original proportions of the space. We use traditional techniques and natural lime mortars to repoint the stone. Lime, being breathable and elastic, allows the historical wall to naturally expel moisture, ensuring a healthy environment and protecting the structure in the long term.  

2. Structural consolidation and reversible reinforcements

Recovering aesthetics is useless if the building is not safe. The real technical challenge is ensuring stability without distorting the essence of the property.

A clear example of this level of demand is our intervention at Alquería Albors, a building with origins as a medieval mill. There, we not only carried out a complete architectural and archaeological restoration but also employed reversible reinforcement techniques on the centuries-old wooden floors. This allows us to ensure the structural load-bearing capacity of the roof while keeping the rustic aesthetics and historical value intact.

3. A space for knowledge and memory

Fincas and historical buildings should not remain as untouchable museums; they are meant to be lived in. The success of a comprehensive restoration is making the space work optimally for its new purpose, offering the comfort and accessibility of the 21st century.

Thanks to these respectful actions, buildings like Casa dels Berenguers are transformed into interpretation centers open to the public, becoming meeting points where history can be explored, understood, and lived in a meticulously restored environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is it essential to use lime mortar in heritage restoration?

‍At Bersife, we use lime mortars because, unlike conventional cement, lime is breathable. This allows centuries-old stone walls to evaporate retained moisture, preventing masonry degradation, spalling, and ensuring the overall health of the building.

2. How do you adapt a historical building for a new modern public or residential use?

‍The secret lies in combining technical rigor with heritage sensitivity. In projects like Casa dels Berenguers in Sagunto, we preserve and highlight original walls, arches, and proportions, while discreetly integrating new installations, insulation, and conditioning that allow the building to function today as a modern interpretation center or residence.  

3. Is it possible to reinforce old wooden floors without losing their original aesthetics?

‍Yes. In complex interventions like Alquería Albors, we use reversible structural reinforcement techniques. These engineering solutions allow us to provide wooden roofs and floors with the necessary strength to support current use, keeping the old wood and its visual value completely intact.