Office name: Vitor Vilhena Arquitectura
E-mail: geral@vitorvilhena.com
Responsible Architect: Vitor Vilhena
Team: Nuno Gonçalves, Michael Vieira
Location: Arrifóias, Odemira – Portugal
Year of completion: 2010
Total construction area (m2): 175 m2
Photography: João Morgado
Materials used in the construction
Company / Product:
1. Duravit – Toilets
2. Bruma – Taps
3. Margrés – Tiles

This is a nighttime view of the house showcasing the warm glow of the lights to complement the white exteriors.

This is a view of the house elevation showing how the house follows the lay of the land.

The house has a main door on the left side and a car port on the right side.

In the middle of the main door and the car port are three small windows.

The three small windows glow at night giving it a unique look.

The house and its warm glow are then complemented by the usrrounding landscape with trees and shrubs.

This is a view of the house featuring the back windows and doors as well as the white exterior walls.

This view of the front of the house shows the wide driveway and the main door that stands out against the bright exterior walls.

This is a side of the house that has a tall tree that shades the large glass windows.

These large glass windows give a warm glow at night that complements the exterior walls.

This is a side of the house that has large glass walls that retract to open to the outdoor areas.

The interior of the house has bright walls and arched ceiling filled with natural lighting.

The interior of the house has an abundance of natural lighting that also brightens the terracotta flooring.

The earthy terracotta flooring tiles go well with the bright walls and tall arched ceiling.

The second level landing has a couple of windows that bring in natural lighting for the whole stairs area.

Just outside the glass doors of the house is a wooden deck flooring walkway for an outdoor patio.

This walkway leads to the swimming pool.

This is a view of the back of the house showcasing the warm glow of the house and the ethereal glow of the pool.

The bright walls of the house make it stand out against the surrounding grass lawns and shrubs.

The exterior walls have a bright tone that makes it contrast the surrounding lush green landscape.

A few minutes away from the house is a large pond.

This is an aerial view of the house showcasing the surrounding landscape.

The site is included in Estate of Arrifóias, Odemira, Alentejo, where nature and
topography have very specific features. The client seeks a solution that favors housing
asset values and landscaped sites.

Respecting the site in its entirety, the project is total involvement with the natural
surroundings. Was privileged contemplation of the landscape, adapting the volumetry of
the house to the natural topography. The extremely careful two volumes have been
developed in “L” shape.

The arrangement shown, maximizes the southern sun exposure, differing in subtle, nonblocking visual, public, and private areas. On the whole, the project was undertaken
without sacrificing the natural elements and panoramic tiny cuts between the site
characteristics and human intervention.