This pastel-coloured house in Portugal is a project called Casa do Alpendre. The building has an impressive floor area of 250 square metres and was designed by Vasco Burnay Arquitectura. The architects did not have an easy task; they had to contend with, among other things, an uninspiring neighbourhood and the lack of a distinct style among the nearby houses.
The house in Portugal and its challenging surroundings
The area is characterised by a great variety of forms. The neighbourhood features buildings of various shapes and finishes, with industrial halls adding to the landscape. The architects opted for an L-shaped floor plan. This solution allowed them to create a distinct façade facing the street, whilst limiting the visibility of the building’s actual size. The longer wing shields the interior and turns the house away from the unsightly back area behind the plot.
A private courtyard full of light
The building’s layout has been aligned with the cardinal directions. The sleeping quarters are situated to the east, whilst the living areas face south and west. This creates a sheltered space between the wings that is open to the sun. A veranda runs along the longer wing, serving as a place for residents to relax, socialise and providing natural shelter from the weather. On the opposite side of the plot, a ramp has been constructed to follow the natural slope of the land.
A pastel-coloured house in Portugal: division of functions
The layout of the house is based on the separation of communal and private areas. The longer section houses the living room and kitchen, forming a single open-plan space beneath a high, gabled roof. The shorter wing, meanwhile, contains four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Two of them share a walk-in wardrobe. A hallway, a pantry and a guest toilet are situated where the two wings meet.
Two attics, terraces and a swimming pool
The gable roofs of both wings have made it possible to create two full-sized attics. A staircase situated next to the main hall leads to the space above the main section. The second attic is accessed via the bedroom at the end of the shorter wing. A bespoke wooden structure has been installed there, serving simultaneously as a staircase, wardrobe and bookcase. A technical terrace housing the building’s service equipment has been designed at roof level. The external area features a laundry room and an additional bathroom concealed beneath an extension of the roof pitch. Furthermore, a swimming pool and a courtyard with parking spaces for three cars have been planned next to the house.
design: Vasco Burnay Arquitectura
photography: Ivo Tavares Studio
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