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The architect chose granite for the house’s base, zinc for its roof, and Scandinavian pinewood for cladding—all materials that complement the nearby gray stone building.
The architect chose granite for the house’s base, zinc for its roof, and Scandinavian pinewood for cladding—all materials that complement the nearby gray stone building.
The quiet, minimalist kitchen features a wall in the same “criptoméria" wood used for the bookshelf in the living room. A Davide Groppi Punto 2 PL light hangs over the dining table.
The quiet, minimalist kitchen features a wall in the same “criptoméria" wood used for the bookshelf in the living room. A Davide Groppi Punto 2 PL light hangs over the dining table.
Warm wooden walls ensure the simple bedroom setup, a low mattress next to a Muuto Leaf table lamp, offers more comfort than the cold stone exterior.
Warm wooden walls ensure the simple bedroom setup, a low mattress next to a Muuto Leaf table lamp, offers more comfort than the cold stone exterior.
PROD Architecture + Design created a farmhouse in Penafiel, Portugal to fuse the aesthetic of traditional homes in the region with contemporary, floor-to-ceiling windows that respond to the environment. Made up of four distinct structures, the home takes on the shape of an existing gabled-roof structure on the site. To complement the stone building, the home incorporates a series of muted materials including granite for the base, zinc for the roof, and Scandinavian pinewood for cladding.
PROD Architecture + Design created a farmhouse in Penafiel, Portugal to fuse the aesthetic of traditional homes in the region with contemporary, floor-to-ceiling windows that respond to the environment. Made up of four distinct structures, the home takes on the shape of an existing gabled-roof structure on the site. To complement the stone building, the home incorporates a series of muted materials including granite for the base, zinc for the roof, and Scandinavian pinewood for cladding.
The bathrooms are lined in luxurious Estremoz marble.
The bathrooms are lined in luxurious Estremoz marble.
The material was gathered from soil with high sand content on the property as well as a second site in the vicinity. Certain volumes of the home consist of a concrete structure and brick masonry.
The material was gathered from soil with high sand content on the property as well as a second site in the vicinity. Certain volumes of the home consist of a concrete structure and brick masonry.
A flat roof and all-white interior unifies the home's three volumes.
A flat roof and all-white interior unifies the home's three volumes.
Though the house is a conversation piece in the more traditional neighborhood, its natural materials nicely complement its surroundings.
Though the house is a conversation piece in the more traditional neighborhood, its natural materials nicely complement its surroundings.
On an agricultural estate in Portugal, Blaanc Studio designed a simple retreat that does its utmost not to interfere with the scenic backdrop. The home was built with rammed earth, which is known for its thermal properties that help maintain a mild temperature all year long. A large, open fireplace with plenty of wood storage is used to warm the living area in winter. The firewood storage's open shelving is carefully located on the side of the island that doesn't face the living room, making sure that it is only visible in certain locations.
On an agricultural estate in Portugal, Blaanc Studio designed a simple retreat that does its utmost not to interfere with the scenic backdrop. The home was built with rammed earth, which is known for its thermal properties that help maintain a mild temperature all year long. A large, open fireplace with plenty of wood storage is used to warm the living area in winter. The firewood storage's open shelving is carefully located on the side of the island that doesn't face the living room, making sure that it is only visible in certain locations.
Four distinct structures make up the house. Their design echoes the shape of an older, gabled-roof building already on site. “We considered the neighboring construction quite interesting in terms of scale and layout,” de Carvalho says. “Due to the proximity, we felt the necessity to integrate it in the design.”
Four distinct structures make up the house. Their design echoes the shape of an older, gabled-roof building already on site. “We considered the neighboring construction quite interesting in terms of scale and layout,” de Carvalho says. “Due to the proximity, we felt the necessity to integrate it in the design.”
In keeping with the island’s rugged character, the new home was pared down to the essentials. Even the floor in the living room, elevated during the construction process to give seated guests sight lines of the coast, helped frame the outdoors. With this philosophy in mind, Vieira da Silva sourced and designed simple, light furniture, such as the custom bookshelves made from “criptoméria," a type of Japanese wood planted in the Azores for construction. The floor lamp, a Sampei model by Davide Groppi, is set above a Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese. Both the sofa and table are also Swedese.
In keeping with the island’s rugged character, the new home was pared down to the essentials. Even the floor in the living room, elevated during the construction process to give seated guests sight lines of the coast, helped frame the outdoors. With this philosophy in mind, Vieira da Silva sourced and designed simple, light furniture, such as the custom bookshelves made from “criptoméria," a type of Japanese wood planted in the Azores for construction. The floor lamp, a Sampei model by Davide Groppi, is set above a Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese. Both the sofa and table are also Swedese.
The main entrance is on the house’s south side. It leads to a central hall from which all sections of the home are accessible.
The main entrance is on the house’s south side. It leads to a central hall from which all sections of the home are accessible.
Asked to find an ecologically sustainable building solution, blaanc turned to a vernacular building technique that still thrives in certain pockets of rural Portugal, rammed earth.
Asked to find an ecologically sustainable building solution, blaanc turned to a vernacular building technique that still thrives in certain pockets of rural Portugal, rammed earth.
Built as part of a functional farmhouse, the original building's ground floor was used to store food and animals, a situation that didn't exactly call for expansive views or large amounts of natural light. Vieira da Silva maintained a similar layout over the two-story home, with social areas on the upper floor and bedrooms on the ground floor, but opened up the lower level with large windows. "With the pre-existing stone walls we created patios, keeping a distance [between the walls] so we could have big openings, and create a close and intense relationship with the landscape and the ruin itself."
Built as part of a functional farmhouse, the original building's ground floor was used to store food and animals, a situation that didn't exactly call for expansive views or large amounts of natural light. Vieira da Silva maintained a similar layout over the two-story home, with social areas on the upper floor and bedrooms on the ground floor, but opened up the lower level with large windows. "With the pre-existing stone walls we created patios, keeping a distance [between the walls] so we could have big openings, and create a close and intense relationship with the landscape and the ruin itself."
Initially unassuming, the E/C home appears hidden from the road, perched on the sloping edge of the island and partially wrapped in the basalt walls from an 18th-century farmhouse. Architects Ines Vieira da Silva and and Miguel Vieira approached the site with a vision to create a relationship with the landscape; they designed the 2,600-square-foot holiday home to not only be a simple escape, but also to frame the weathered coast and reflect its past. “Both paths to the house were designed with basalt stone, as if they were still a rural path,” Vieira da Silva says.
Initially unassuming, the E/C home appears hidden from the road, perched on the sloping edge of the island and partially wrapped in the basalt walls from an 18th-century farmhouse. Architects Ines Vieira da Silva and and Miguel Vieira approached the site with a vision to create a relationship with the landscape; they designed the 2,600-square-foot holiday home to not only be a simple escape, but also to frame the weathered coast and reflect its past. “Both paths to the house were designed with basalt stone, as if they were still a rural path,” Vieira da Silva says.
The connecting area between the four houses has an open joisted pine ceiling that offers a masterful transition between the coarse, weathered exterior and the polished rooms—all lined with smooth Sucupira wood and white plaster board. “We wanted to make a clear contrast between the interior surfaces of the house and the corresponding exterior surfaces,” de Carvalho says.
The connecting area between the four houses has an open joisted pine ceiling that offers a masterful transition between the coarse, weathered exterior and the polished rooms—all lined with smooth Sucupira wood and white plaster board. “We wanted to make a clear contrast between the interior surfaces of the house and the corresponding exterior surfaces,” de Carvalho says.
Scattershot openings in the single-story home omit a soft glow at dusk.
Scattershot openings in the single-story home omit a soft glow at dusk.
The new concrete exterior has already been transformed by the rain and humidity of the Azores, and now sports an aged look. The color contrasts with the basalt wall and dark soil of the Ilha Preta ("Black Island"). Vieira da Silva anticipates that surprising patterns and textures will develop on the outer walls over time.
The new concrete exterior has already been transformed by the rain and humidity of the Azores, and now sports an aged look. The color contrasts with the basalt wall and dark soil of the Ilha Preta ("Black Island"). Vieira da Silva anticipates that surprising patterns and textures will develop on the outer walls over time.
The interior showcases the roof's laminated wood beams. A Panton chair takes the seat of honor at the dining table.
The interior showcases the roof's laminated wood beams. A Panton chair takes the seat of honor at the dining table.
The house maximizes vistas of the region's natural terrain.
The house maximizes vistas of the region's natural terrain.
House in Matosinhos is a minimal home located in Matosinhos, Portugal, created by nu.ma. The lot, where the house is inserted, has a non-regular shape, longitudinal, and perpendicular to the street Nossa Senhora da Conceição. It was important to keep the alignment of the house with the existing buildings in order to avoid formal irregularities within the street development. The interior spatial distribution is separated by function and by floors. Due to the longitudinal nature of the lot, the architects proposed an internal yard at the center of the home to allow for natural light to enter the dining/living room and kitchen.
House in Matosinhos is a minimal home located in Matosinhos, Portugal, created by nu.ma. The lot, where the house is inserted, has a non-regular shape, longitudinal, and perpendicular to the street Nossa Senhora da Conceição. It was important to keep the alignment of the house with the existing buildings in order to avoid formal irregularities within the street development. The interior spatial distribution is separated by function and by floors. Due to the longitudinal nature of the lot, the architects proposed an internal yard at the center of the home to allow for natural light to enter the dining/living room and kitchen.
The bedrooms are located on the more sheltered east side. They function as private, closed boxes, as opposed to the more open living room and dining areas.
The bedrooms are located on the more sheltered east side. They function as private, closed boxes, as opposed to the more open living room and dining areas.
The house stretches out horizontally with various wings for different functions. The material palette is simple, with concrete floors and plaster walls. The kitchen also opens up to the patio.
The house stretches out horizontally with various wings for different functions. The material palette is simple, with concrete floors and plaster walls. The kitchen also opens up to the patio.
The 2,225-square-foot house was designed by ColectivArquitectura as a weekend home for a couple that runs a group of design, fashion, and lifestyle stores in Lisbon.
The 2,225-square-foot house was designed by ColectivArquitectura as a weekend home for a couple that runs a group of design, fashion, and lifestyle stores in Lisbon.
The furniture and artwork in the house are items that the residents have collected from both Portugal and elsewhere in Europe. The interiors were designed by José Luís Barbosa.
The furniture and artwork in the house are items that the residents have collected from both Portugal and elsewhere in Europe. The interiors were designed by José Luís Barbosa.
The symbol-perforated aluminum facade of José Cadilhe's narrow House 77 in Portugal. The metal shutters cover full-height windows. Photo by Dioniso lab/TASCHEN.
The symbol-perforated aluminum facade of José Cadilhe's narrow House 77 in Portugal. The metal shutters cover full-height windows. Photo by Dioniso lab/TASCHEN.
No need for any home fresheners—apparently the sweet, earthy aroma from the over 4,500 plants and counting living wall façade of this mysterious home in Lisbon, Portugal makes its way indoors. Via No Ordinary Homes.
No need for any home fresheners—apparently the sweet, earthy aroma from the over 4,500 plants and counting living wall façade of this mysterious home in Lisbon, Portugal makes its way indoors. Via No Ordinary Homes.
Strategic openings on the ground floor provide a clear view of the ocean.
Strategic openings on the ground floor provide a clear view of the ocean.
At dusk, the home's light illuminates the lines and layers of the aged stone, casting shadows on the lawn.
At dusk, the home's light illuminates the lines and layers of the aged stone, casting shadows on the lawn.
A wood console provides structural support and anchors the open floor plan, creating a natural division between the living room, dining area, and office.
A wood console provides structural support and anchors the open floor plan, creating a natural division between the living room, dining area, and office.
Pereira’s clients asked him to create a unique “work of art” under no budget constraints or deadline. Given their openness, he was able to play with the structure’s geometry, removing the terra cotta roof and carving out recesses for decks. White stucco clads sheltering walls, while silver wood slats line openings like doors, windows, and terraces.
Pereira’s clients asked him to create a unique “work of art” under no budget constraints or deadline. Given their openness, he was able to play with the structure’s geometry, removing the terra cotta roof and carving out recesses for decks. White stucco clads sheltering walls, while silver wood slats line openings like doors, windows, and terraces.
“Having diagonal wood slats make spaces more dynamic, and in a way enable greater use of the material,” Pereira says. A small deck on the second level forms a shaded alcove below where residents can doze in a hammock.
“Having diagonal wood slats make spaces more dynamic, and in a way enable greater use of the material,” Pereira says. A small deck on the second level forms a shaded alcove below where residents can doze in a hammock.
In the study, strip lighting illuminates a desk almost entirely surrounded by built-in bookshelves.
In the study, strip lighting illuminates a desk almost entirely surrounded by built-in bookshelves.
Summary harnesses the power of prefabrication to create a set of compact homes on a breathtaking site.
Summary harnesses the power of prefabrication to create a set of compact homes on a breathtaking site.
Doors and cabinets made of veneered Iroko chipboard are scattered throughout.
Doors and cabinets made of veneered Iroko chipboard are scattered throughout.
The Lisbon-based firm's goal was to connect the house to the picturesque surroundings and open up views. The house has a dramatic sliding wall that creates a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors.
The Lisbon-based firm's goal was to connect the house to the picturesque surroundings and open up views. The house has a dramatic sliding wall that creates a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors.

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