A residence that aims to blend with the landscape. The structure steps down to follow the mountain’s slope while the exposed concrete shell makes references to the surrounding granite rock.

‘A mountain scenery with a harsh climate, dominated by granite rock where mankind little marked its presence comes the demand to create an object that will blend with the landscape. The exposed concrete responds to the material demand and the volume breaks up as it follows the slope. The shape of the house is related with its own function, has the social area stands in the upper floor taking advantage of the wider views, the bedrooms take place on the lower and more private floor. The volume opens differently to each side, creating unique relations with the surroundings. Big windows in the social area, bringing the outside inside, and small frames in the bedrooms that capture small pictures of the trees outside, whether one is lying on the bed or standing up.’

ARCHITECT: Oficina d’Arquitectura / Florêncio da Costa, José Pinho, Portugal. LOCATION: Serra da Freita , Arouca, Portugal. DESCRIPTION: residential. STATUS: completed. AREA: 316 sqm. 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.