Residential buildings located outside of large cities bring with them many advantages. Among the main ones are functionality and tranquillity, but they also tell stories about the history, culture and aesthetics of the region. The rural house in Paredes de Coura is a project by Tiago Sousa. The old building was originally built for commercial use as a pharmacy and, after modernisation, became an elegant single-family home.
The architecture of the former pharmacy
Situated on top of a hill, the building attracted attention with its unique form. Its large window openings and elegant stonework details, including doorframes and lintels, set it apart from traditional local architecture. Unfortunately, this rich exterior was not reflected in the interior, which was monotonous, divided into small, depressing rooms. The interior of the house was organised in a functional way, but lacked concept and harmony. A central, tall room was surrounded by four smaller ones: a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom and a storage room. In the attic, where a narrow staircase led up, there were two additional bedrooms and a small storage room.
Country house – a challenge and a metamorphosis
Over time, the homeowners decided to modernise the house and wanted to adapt it to their own visions and needs. They realised that the current layout did not reflect the full potential of the building. The project aimed to harmonise space and form to make their dream of beauty and functionality a reality. The ground floor of the house was transformed into one open space, divided into three sections by two elegant arches. This created a kitchen, living room and dining room. The first floor houses an office, a bathroom and a storage room, while on the -1 level, partly sunk into the ground, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room have been located.
The main element – the symbolism of the arch
The arch – a symbol of elegance and a motif known in architecture for centuries – has become the most important element of the project. Both inside and outside, the arch defines the space and is a decorative dominant feature. It appears in the façade of the house, the already mentioned ground floor division and the staircase. They connect all levels of the building and are made of concrete supplemented with wood, which, combined with the rhythm of the arches on the balustrade, creates an impression of lightness and harmony with the rest of the design. The overall design is very coherent and, despite a lot of interference with the historic body of the former pharmacy, the building still fits in well with the suburban landscape of a small village in the north of Portugal.
Project name: Casa Arco
Design: Tiago Sousa
Main architect: Tiago Sousa
Location: Paredes de Coura, Portugal
Year of redevelopment: 2024
Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio
Also read: single-family house | Metamorphosis | Portugal | Facade | Modernism| whiteMAD on Instagram
