The Casa Corten project by HPA Arquitetura e Investimentos studio was conceived as a direct response to the conditions of the plot where it was to be built. The site was originally occupied by the ruins of a former timber factory, of which only corroded sheets of steel remain. These characteristic traces of industrial activity were used as a reference point for the new architecture, set in the landscape and historical context of the Portuguese town.
The form of the building and its spatial layout were precisely adapted to the terrain. Instead of a single compact building, a fragmented volume was designed, guided along the natural ground lines. This solution reduced interference in the terrain and allowed the new building to blend in perfectly with its surroundings.
Topography and orientation of Casa Corten
One of the main challenges for the designers was the significant slope of the plot. Their answer to this situation became the green roofs on both floors, thanks to which Casa Corten is seen as an extension of the slope. The masses resemble moulded sections of land, reinforcing the impression of integration with the landscape. The second major consideration was the eastern exposure and the resulting sunshine pattern. The most important glazing is oriented to the west, allowing solar energy to be extracted in a passive way. The elevation of the building above ground level allowed the lower storey to be illuminated and the existing vegetation on the plot to be retained. The garden acts as a spatial link between the levels of the house and is the central element of the composition.
The body of the house and its relationship to the landscape
The upper storey has been set back in line with the course of the site, which breaks up the scale of the building and increases privacy from the nearby path. The fully glazed elevations reinforce the relationship of the interiors with the environment, providing daylight and wide views of the beautiful landscape. A perforated corten screen appears on the south side, filtering light and limiting views from the outside on the most exposed elevation. This element also acts as sun protection while emphasising the material expression of the building.
Materials and historical references
The architects’ choice of materials was subordinated to the idea of continuity with the former development of the area. Corten steel covers the facades of Casa Corten and appears in the interiors in selected areas of the house, including the lobby and the flats. It is juxtaposed with raw concrete of irregular texture and natural colour. Such a composed palette of materials builds a distinctive relationship between colours and textures, based on authenticity and acceptance of the imperfections resulting from the ageing processes of these materials. All furniture fittings have been individually designed for this house. The furnishings and accessories were chosen in a manner subordinate to the architects’ intentions, without introducing contrasts or solutions that compete with the building’s form and materials.
Interior layout and functions
The organisation of the space inside the house was subordinated to openness and constant contact with the natural surroundings. The entrance hall, finished in corten steel and wood, acts as a vertical link between the private area on the lower level and the living area above. The concrete visible on the floors, walls and ceilings brings order to the interiors and ensures visual coherence. Four bedroom suites are planned on the lower floor. The upper level houses the kitchen, dining area and living room, above which a dynamic roof structure with a steep slope is spanned, opening up views in all directions.
An ecological house
From the outset, the project took into account energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. To this end, extensive green roofs, a rainwater harvesting system, photovoltaic panels and home automation came into play here. Leafy vegetation and carefully positioned trees help to protect against the sun in the warmer months.
Surrounding Casa Corten
The exterior zones of Casa Corten have been planned as a natural extension of its interiors. These include a patio layout, a garden with native and aromatic plant species, a green roof for lounging, an outdoor kitchen with a wood-burning cooker, a fire pit, a heated Jacuzzi and a rimless pool integrated into the pond and landscape.
Project: HPA Arquitetura e Investimentos
Usable area: 495.50 sq m.
Photos: Ivo Tavares Studio
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