Concrete 11

The city of Lisbon provides architects with a unique contrast between light and shadows, which invites them to explore this concept further and create projects that replicate it in the interior of the house. If we add to this the presence of a rural environment, this contrast is increased even further. Shadows created by geometric constructions from the urban centre are complemented by images generated from the sunlight interaction with surrounding trees and other plants.

CONCRETE 11 was born from the desire to live in harmony with both the Lisbon centre and the Nature that surrounds it. An urban house where one can still have the same level of connection with Nature as in a country house.

The project conception is born from the model of the terrain where the building was going to be implemented and from the desire to enhance it while keeping its main characteristics. By developing the house in a way that seamlessly interacts with the surrounding environment, its owners are given a closer proximity to Nature and a more natural lifestyle.

The urban and landscaping integration was guaranteed through the materials used for the facades, which camouflage the house into the terrain. The sharp inclination of the land made it possible for the building to work as two overlapping layers. One that is embedded into the terrain and serves as base and another one that levitates above the first one. This latter one, represented by an element of white concrete with horizontal gaps, is where the house's more social and less intimate activities take place.

All the design, lighting and decoration were done so that a close relationship was kept between all the different elements of the project. The horizontal gaps that can be found in the upper layer are not simply a facade design. They provide a very personal relationship in the way how the interior interacts with the outside, mainly in terms of how the sunlight and the shadows envelop the building. The gap in the dining area is placed at the precise level that allows a person of average height to see the top of the trees when seated. The gaps in the living room allow the sighting of olive trees, so typical of this Mediterranean region, when seated and of the city buildings when standing.

Since the beginning of the project, the lighting for every division of the house was given detailed consideration, from the chandelier in the double height entrance hall to the Castiglione in the living room.

To give the building a look beyond its home functionality and achieve a sculpture appearance, the materials used were particularly important. Priority was given to nationally sourced materials, from the selection of the wood to the natural stones.

The interiors were thought and designed with the objective of achieving a relaxing and cosy environment, while giving the house unique, modern, and peaceful characteristics.

There are two ways to enter the house: by car, through the garage, and by foot, through a pedestrian access. The garage is placed in a basement built in smoothed concrete, which also contains a wine cellar and a technical area. The pedestrian access is made of light and wide steps made of concrete, without a formal alignment, that guide us to the door.

As we enter the hall, through a large span embedded in pine slats in grey concrete, we are immediately guided to the social area of the house in the upper layer. This entrance, revitalized by the natural light, is a symbiosis between the double height ceiling, clad in wood and glass, and the staircase, which invites the person to socialize. Also on this entrance floor is the private area, with three suites hidden by wooden panels.

The three bedrooms are illuminated by the large patio with a centenary olive tree, located in the heart of the land. When we go up to the white concrete floor, we are crushed by a light, which rips across the U-shaped design of the living room and office, and we are invited to open the windows so that the garden and pool fit inside the house as if we were in the countryside.

The final result was very positive. Through all the customization that it offers, the house gives its owners a place they are proud to call their own. Moreover, it achieves the necessary urbanistic development while giving the Environment all the respect it deserves and prioritizing the synergies between both.