A house inspired by the golden ratio (Latin: sectio aurea) was built in the Portuguese town of Amarante. Its name – ‘Áurea housing’ – is a direct reference to the building’s main feature, its proportions. It is, of course, a solid that consists of two overlapping cuboids, which at many points form a division of the solid in a ratio approximating the aforementioned golden ratio, which is 1.618. However, this is not ‘art for art’s sake’. It is about certain laws that are known in mathematics, biology or physics, among others, which point to the many advantages of this ‘divisible division’.
“The initial premise of the Áurea housing project was the concept of the golden division. It developed with the introduction of the two golden rectangles and from then on all the spaces flowed naturally.” – says architect Mónica Pires.
These rectangles, despite their massiveness, look light and subtle. This is precisely the effect of the proportions, which are “natural” to the human eye, because we see them every day, almost everywhere in the world – for example when we look at the petals of flowers or the branching of trees.
“The intersection of the perpendiculars gives rise to an internal courtyard with the function of separating the common and private areas and maximising the use of natural light and panoramic views, promoting a strong connection between the internal spaces and the external landscape.” – adds Mónica Pires
The neutral colour palette and natural textures create a calm and sophisticated atmosphere, while architectural elements such as the glazed patio and different ceiling heights add to both aesthetic and functional qualities, The programme arranged in geometrically arranged rectangles clearly matched the ideas of the client, who wanted the spaces to be intuitively connected.
“The massing of the building is characterised by flat, clean lines, creating volume on the ground floor and basement, with the illusion of a double floor in the living room, seen from outside. This pleasant impression of double height creates different hierarchies and dynamics in the experience between the social and private spaces of the house. The living room, kitchen and dining room are integrated into the open plan, allowing for a smooth circulation and visual communication between the different areas. The open-plan concept promotes family and social coexistence while providing functional flexibility.” – concludes the architect
Another very important element in the design of the building was to connect the interior with the garden and the views that unfold from both the ground and ground floor levels. This was achieved through the use of high panoramic glazing, as well as the appropriate positioning of the rooms so that nothing disturbs the views.
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