Site: Avenal, Ul, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
Date: 2000 – 2004
Client: Manuela Ferreira e Manuel Coelho
Architecture: Carlos Castanheira & Clara Bastai, Arqtos Ldª
Collaborators: Orlando Sousa, Hellen van’t Hart, Sofia Reis, Duarte Rodrigues, Demis Lopes, Luís Calheiros
Structure: Armandina Rodrigues e Carlos Castanheira
Electrical: Abílio Santos – Protec
Contractor: A Construtora de Loureiro Lda.
Carpinters: Tecnibrio Lda.
Copper works: ASA – António Sousa Alves Lda.
Photography: Fernando Guerra FG + SG | Fotografia de Arquitectura
Having previously started work on a different project in a smaller location, I abandoned my first idea for these clients, so as to initiate this project in a larger plot of land, thereby delivering the possibility of building a single-story house.
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Although the program remained the same, the setting created the physical and spatial possibility of increasing the respective areas of the intended spaces and trying out a different type of construction – wooden construction.
The dense covering of eucalyptus trees was completely removed from the plot of land, thus revealing the gentle elevation of the land and its views to the southeast.
The program originated a dwelling with a large covered area, which might otherwise have been difficult to control in a single story.
In order to reduce the physical and perceptual differences inherent to the single-story solution, I decided to organize the house in a regular arc, wherein all walls would run parallel with one another – the longitudinal walls and the transversal walls that converged in the center of the longitudinal walls.
Access to the house is achieved from the back to the north – where the covered car-parking area and technical areas are also located.
Nestled against the terrain, the single housing volume is actually constituted by various volumes unified by the roof covering.
The volume to the east contains three bedrooms and the respective bathroom and toilet facilities.
The social spaces are located in the center, in a direct relationship with the garage and access area, specifically including the entrance hall, office, kitchen, lounge, and dining room.
The volume to the west – the first part of the building we see upon arriving – contains the indoor swimming pool, changing room, and a family party room.
The Riga-wood structure is perched upon concrete slab flooring and several peripheral masonry walls.
The interior walls are made of plasterboard. The wood-lined ceilings include an exposed wooden structure, complemented by the wooden window and door frames. The floor paving is constituted entirely of slate.
The exterior is constituted by slate walls, and the ashlar masonry work and wall-corners are reinforced with granite. The front of the building, looking South, is constituted entirely of wood and glass. Solar protection is ensured by means of roof covering balances supported on wooden pillars.
The roof covering is almost completely flat and waterproofed by means of copper plating.