A Portuguese Glass House Uses Surrounding Foliage as a Privacy Screen
A transparent hillside abode outside Porto swerves around existing trees and takes advantage of the lush canopy for privacy.
Inspired by the surrounding landscape of chestnut trees, rocky hillside, and bubbling stream, Portuguese architecture firm 3r Ernesto Pereira chose to blend into, and take advantage of, the local geography rather than fight against it at this sleek, modern home near the coastal city of Porto. At a cost of €100,000 (approximately $125,000) and measuring about 140 square meters, this stunning, wood-and-glass retreat took about four months to construct.
Cloaked House by 3r Ernesto Pereira blends into its leafy hillside location.
Photo: João Morgado
From the exterior, the residence is long and rectangular, with glazed walls that allow for views out into the woods beyond.
A large porch projects from the main building.
Photo: João Morgado
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The existing foliage were carefully considered, with niches cut out in the home’s form to preserve extant trees, thus creating outdoor spaces that are surrounded on three sides by the interior of the home, akin to courtyards.
At night, the home glows like a glass jewel box.
Photo: João Morgado
Concrete floors and roof contrast with large expanses of glazing.
Photo: João Morgado
The roof is the only solid element, but its neutral gray tone allow it to blend into the hillside as well.
Some of the large planes of glass are sliding doors that open to the environment.
Photo: João Morgado
The roof is the only solid element in the residence.
Photo: João Morgado
Bookmatched wood veneer cabinetry brings a warm, tactile feel to the interiors.
Photo: João Morgado
A neutral palette for furniture keeps the interior feeling light and sun-drenched.
Photo: João Morgado
A custom kitchen with a cantilevered countertop mimics the way the house is perched on a hillside, seeming to defy gravity.
Photo: João Morgado
In summer, the dense leafiness of the trees engulfs the whole house, making it almost imperceptible while protecting the interior from the intense sun. In winter, the deciduous trees shed their leaves, allowing the sun to penetrate the home and warm up the interiors, which are slightly more visible behind the bare branches.
Light enters the home from all sides, even those which are closest to the hill.
Photo: João Morgado
Whether indoors or outdoors, this house lets its residents live both in the forest and with the forest.
The home has sliding doors with thick wood frames.
Photo: João Morgado
Existing trees poke through the large patio.
Photo: João Morgado
The home is designed to maneuver around existing trees.
Photo: João Morgado
A axonometric of the project shows its long, rectangular form with cut-outs to preserve existing trees.
Photo: 3r Ernesto Pereira
The Cloaked House plan
Photo: 3r Ernesto Pereira
Project Credits:
Architecture: 3r Ernesto Pereira
Builder/General Contractor: 3r Ernesto Pereira
Structural, Civil, & Sound Engineer: Engitek
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