<strong>Big project:</strong> Alan Andrew, originally from Pennsylvania, and his Belgian husband Vincent Proost relocated to Portugal after purchasing an abandoned farmhouse in the region of Alentejo.
Big project: Alan Andrew, originally from Pennsylvania, and his Belgian husband Vincent Proost relocated to Portugal after purchasing an abandoned farmhouse in the region of Alentejo.
Vincent Proost
<strong>Huge move: </strong>The couple, who have been married since 2011, were originally looking for a holiday home, but changed their minds after came across the crumbling farmhouse located in the rural village of Figueira e Barros.
Huge move: The couple, who have been married since 2011, were originally looking for a holiday home, but changed their minds after came across the crumbling farmhouse located in the rural village of Figueira e Barros.
Vincent Proost
<strong>Massive undertaking: </strong>"It suddenly became a project," says Proost. "And I was like, 'Okay, let's move.' And then we did. We built the house from scratch just before the pandemic, which was quite an adventure."
Massive undertaking: "It suddenly became a project," says Proost. "And I was like, 'Okay, let's move.' And then we did. We built the house from scratch just before the pandemic, which was quite an adventure."
Vincent Proost
<strong>Beyond repair: </strong>They purchased the property in the summer of 2019. The original farmhouse was demolished soon after.
Beyond repair: They purchased the property in the summer of 2019. The original farmhouse was demolished soon after.
Vincent Proost
<strong>Slow process:</strong> "The build was supposed to last a year," says Proost, pictured with Andrew, left, and one of their dogs. "We just finished, which is almost three years. So it was a bit longer than originally planned."
Slow process: "The build was supposed to last a year," says Proost, pictured with Andrew, left, and one of their dogs. "We just finished, which is almost three years. So it was a bit longer than originally planned."
Vincent Proost
<strong>Final finish:</strong> The couple's new home, named Casa Baio, has its own pool, five bedrooms, along with a barn turned pool house.
Final finish: The couple's new home, named Casa Baio, has its own pool, five bedrooms, along with a barn turned pool house.
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Expansive land: </strong>Their land encompasses 175 acres and includes around 1,500 olive trees.<br />
Expansive land: Their land encompasses 175 acres and includes around 1,500 olive trees.
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Modern farmhouse:</strong> "It's very well insulated," says Andrew. "In the old traditional houses, the windows are tiny because of the weather and now because of technology, we're able to put in bigger windows."<br />
Modern farmhouse: "It's very well insulated," says Andrew. "In the old traditional houses, the windows are tiny because of the weather and now because of technology, we're able to put in bigger windows."
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Traditional elements: </strong>They tried to incorporate local materials, including handmade terracotta tiles, along with floor tiles made from local marble, into the structure.
Traditional elements: They tried to incorporate local materials, including handmade terracotta tiles, along with floor tiles made from local marble, into the structure.
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Rural location: </strong>Their new home has spectacular views over Portugal's Alentejo region.
Rural location: Their new home has spectacular views over Portugal's Alentejo region.
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Perfect blend: </strong>"It's one floor," says Proost. "So there's no upstairs. Everything is quite flat. And it's brown. It blends in with the lands. You don't see it."
Perfect blend: "It's one floor," says Proost. "So there's no upstairs. Everything is quite flat. And it's brown. It blends in with the lands. You don't see it."
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Outdoor pool: </strong>The house includes a swimming pool, while the former barn has been converted into a "pool house."
Outdoor pool: The house includes a swimming pool, while the former barn has been converted into a "pool house."
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Stand out views: "</strong>We bought the property for the views and the quietness and tranquility," says Proost, adding that he particularly enjoys looking out at the sunsets from their huge windows.
Stand out views: "We bought the property for the views and the quietness and tranquility," says Proost, adding that he particularly enjoys looking out at the sunsets from their huge windows.
Vincent Proost
<strong>New life:</strong> Now that their house is complete and they've gotten to know the area, the pair feel very much at home in Figueira e Barros.
New life: Now that their house is complete and they've gotten to know the area, the pair feel very much at home in Figueira e Barros.
Duarte Bivar
<strong>Warm welcome</strong>: "As soon as we bought the place, all the neighbors invited us for dinner," says Proost. "The people are just wonderful." <br />
Warm welcome: "As soon as we bought the place, all the neighbors invited us for dinner," says Proost. "The people are just wonderful."
Duarte Bivar