Some houses give the impression of not being able to find their way in their surroundings. Built in locations chosen more by heart than by reason, they are often in dissonance with the landscape. Sometimes, however, what at first seems unobvious acquires value and meaning thanks to the consistency and imagination of the creators. Such is the case with Casa da Encosta, a house that has fitted perfectly into a rather problematic context.
The project, designed by Ricardo Silva Azevedo, was built on a vast plot of land with a gentle slope in Santo Tirso in northern Portugal. The architect placed the building on it in a way that almost lifts it off the ground. The 394-square-metre, single-storey building opens up onto an internal patio full of greenery – the heart and centre of the entire concept. The exterior space, on the other hand, was shaped to cut the house off from the not-so-attractive neighbourhood. The layout of the interiors and their deep relationship with the landscape create a place that, in addition to providing shelter, defines the personal microcosm of the inhabitants.
Azevedo’s greatest challenge was to reconcile the property owners’ desire to live in this particular location with their need for quiet, comfort and aesthetics. The couple wanted to feel the presence of the mountainous landscape, but function in a world isolated from its modern imperfections. The house had to be modern, refined and free from visual chaos. The result of these recommendations and needs is a space that allows contact with nature but at the same time gives a sense of intimacy.
The architecture of Casa da Encosta is based on a clear functional plan and simple, conscious material choices. Logic, clarity and order dominate the design. Communication takes place through horizontal passageways that connect the living area with the private and recreational areas. The space of the house opens up to the outside, where a wide green belt and a swimming pool dominate. Glass and aluminium surfaces, which introduce lightness and light, are juxtaposed with concrete and colours that enhance the composition.
The house becomes a backdrop for everyday life, it does not impose itself, but offers the opportunity to relax and feel at home. Here, every element is in its place. The Casa da Encosta project shows that architecture does not have to compete with its surroundings. It can transform it, giving it new meaning.
Design: Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Principal architect: Ricardo Silva Azevedo
Location: Santo Tirso, Portugal
Total area: 394.15 sq m
Interior design: AAR Déco
Photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
Also read: single-family house | Architecture | Interiors | Minimalism| whiteMAD on Instagram | Portugal
