This seventeenth-century palace occupies the site of Mafra’s former lords’ residence. João V stayed here while overseeing the royal works: a house in the old town reveals another side of the vast building project.
Palácio dos Marqueses now accommodates lodging, dining, a youth space and events. Read the old house through its present uses: staying, working or taking part in an activity.
Begin with its relationship to Vila Velha from the public street. Enter according to the venue’s arrangements. A building with guest rooms and events is not automatically a freely accessible museum; respecting its users is part of the visit.
What to notice
Observe the entrance and courtyard boundaries; confirm access before entering.
Ding offers a way to consider transformation. A new use must bring together existing structure, people’s needs and responsibility for care.
Start with the architecture
A door connects and separates. Distinguishing public, service and lodging entrances helps explain how different rhythms coexist in one building.
Bring the question into everyday life
Before renewing something, what deserves to stay? Identify the problem of use before deciding how its appearance should change.
Try an observation here
Find a detail that accommodates both a new use and an old structure.
What change allows something old to remain useful?
A contemporary cultural reading by Xiaoxiong inspired by the I Ching. The connection with the building is an editorial perspective, not the architect’s intention or a documented historical influence. It is not fortune-telling.
03 / Nearby life
A nearby table
Dining map records within three kilometres in a straight line of the reference point. Walls, railways and slopes may lengthen the journey. Check the entrance and whether the business is open.
The map may omit businesses. Records do not confirm trading status, menus or bookings. Records with an address are shown by default; you can include the others.
04 / The travellers’ Bench
Sit for a while. Leave an observation.
What change allows something old to remain useful?