The guest house is designed around a 250 x 450 module inspired from the typical Portuguese entrance serving three different functions: living, storage and parking. Open on one end modules are used for parking, partly open ones for storage and the insulated and ‘closed’ ones accommodate the living areas. Like a jigsaw puzzle the guest can arrange the modules in a linear manner to fit his needs.

Location
In the vast nature reserve of ‘pinhal da Comporta’ recognized for its typical coastal habitat of pine woods growing on the sand dunes of Atlantic ocean, one surprising element makes the location one of the special ‘corners’ of the universe, the water.
In the near proximity to the construction site, a small artificial lake intensifies the white colour of the sand, the greens and the browns colours of the pines and the blue colour of the sky.
The sound of the sunlight fills the whole area with the feelings of tranquillity and relaxing excitement. The spiritual connection with nature is unavoidable.

Program
The primary function of the object is the temporary living space for the guest(s) of the property owner. Additionally, the parking area and the storage space for the agricultural activities are completing the simple program set by the client.

Concept
One volume, located parallel with the lake, is divided into three parts for three different functions: living, storage and parking.
The volume, entirely made from wood, grew out of an even simpler element which was multiplied to create a light and simple construction that would respect the natural environment in the most sensitive, aesthetic and creative way.
Deriving from the single module, with the dimensions of 250 x 450 cm, the whole architecture was made by multiplication of it, to create the three types of program.
The wooden structure that forms each of the ten modules contains subtle variations depending on the demand of certain type of program.
The first four modules are open from the one side and are serving as the parking space within the object. The following two modules are partly open with the purpose of storing agricultural and other material.
The next three modules forming the living area are more closed in order to create the feeling of privacy and protection against climatic influence, predominately the sun and wind. Each of these three closet modules can help to organise the internal organisation for different situations of living. The first module contains the main entrance and the sleeping room. In the following module all the infrastructure of the living area is positioned in the centre of the space containing the toilet, shower and the kitchen. That central area is consequently forming the circular communication of the sleeping area, sanitation and kitchen with the last module which is used as a living room.
The last, 10th module is also part of the living area and serves as the external prolongation of the living area into the half open terrace.

This basic module, out of which the whole object arose, makes the architectural link with the typical Portuguese entrance point of the houses and buildings in the terms of proportions and divisions.

To enhance the vivid colours of the nature that are ‘marking’ the whole site, object is made transparent, semi-transparent and opaque, with the ability to transform itself, depending on the needs and the current weather conditions.

Dark shadows on white sand create the intensive contrast which expresses the dialog between the object and its surroundings.

Besides clever self-ventilating walls, that are isolating the house, the importance of the nature and the environmental sustainability is represented through the used materials. Along with the wood, other organic materials like Eco-paint and cork are used to create this highly adaptable, sustainable and recyclable architecture.

ARCHITECT: Leonardo Paiella / Paratelier, Lisbon, Portugal. CLIENT: Rucha A. LOCATION: Carvalhal, Portugal. DESCRIPTION: residential. AREA: 115 sqm. PROJECT TEAM: PARATELIER (Monica Ravazzolo – Leonardo Paiella). COLLABORATORS: Ilaria La Corte, Hugo Amaro. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Gobal – João Gomes da Silva, Catarina Raposo. SERVICES ENGINEERING: Tropimaloca, lda. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: Tropimaloca, lda. ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY: Projecto uno. CONTRACTOR: Tropimaloca, lda. DATE: 2011. No part of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Morfae and the copyright owner.