Brejos da Carregueira House | estúdio AMATAM

Developing a project for a house uniquely for vacations has challenged us to create a spatial and programmatic concept that reflects this specificity. We sought to understand the qualities of a vacation home and we focused on some characteristics that seemed essential to us: an internal spatial organization that allowed a strong coexistence among its users, a very close relation between the social area and its exterior, and an atmosphere that revived the morphology of traditional Portuguese houses in the countryside. Our proposal has resulted in an unusual dialogue between modern and traditional.

In the exterior, we tried to develop a contemporary language, with pure and simple forms. These modern volumes conceal an interior that exploits a spatiality that takes advantage of the two-story roofs. Despite its modern language, we have provided the exterior with materials that also explore the more artisan side of the country houses, through the use of wood in the doorways and white ceramic brick.

On the house inside we also wanted to explore some characteristics of the rural houses' interiors that have accompanied us since childhood. Variable ceiling heights and gable roofs were explored in the social areas of this house, resulting in an unexpected volumetry. It creates spatial hierarchies and stimulates dynamics for those who experience it.

We sought to develop a house with charisma, both outside and inside. Blending these two distinct languages, one inside (more traditional) and one outside (more modern) - with the best qualities of both - consequently, it becomes a space that is a discovery.

Who passes by cannot idealize the spatial richness of the interior, nor do those inside understand how the exterior presents such an elegant and minimalist language.

In the end, this is a modern house for a country experience.