CasasNaAreia

Situate sulle dune di sabbia di Comporta, nella penisola di Tróia a sud di Lisbona, i quattro volumi residenziali - due di legno, e due in pietra, riprendono la tradizione dell'architettura vernacolare sul litorale portoghese.

The House in Comporta is situated on the Portuguese coast 130 km south of Lisbon and involves the renovation of 4 existing structures set directly on the beach sand. The house’s functions are split among the 4 constructions linked only by the sandy ground.

The house comprises four pre-existing wood and masonry pieces, very pretty. The pieces are so solid, so radical, so well arranged (…). This simultaneously splendid, primitive and future house works on the outside-in spatial continuity starting with
what’s most basic, most fundamental – the ground. With the sand that caresses our bare feet outside and inside (…).

And even though the architect’s report says that the project responds to very specific conditions, I believe that the response, and that’s what’s so very right about this house, is its universality. This house is a universal house.

Testo di Alberto Campos Baeza




CasasNaAreia is located 1 hour south from Lisbon, in Comporta - Portugal. This region is known for the magnificent white sandy beaches, the wine, fresh fish, the rice paddies and the pine trees. It´s integrated on the natural reserve of river Sado, home to a great variety of wild life such as flamingos, storks and dolphins. It´s one of the best places in Portugal for bird watching. You can easily see up to 100 different species in just 1 day.
CasasNaAreia is located near the small fishing village of Carrasqueira. Here you can visit the unique Palafitte Harbour of Carrasquiera - a jetty on stilts. This was a creative solution for the local fishing community to access the boats during low tied, since the banks of the river get very muddy. Here at sunset you can enjoy unique experiences and breathtaking images of the Sado.
Regarding this project from the architect Manuel Aires Mateus, we can say that the sand transported to the interior becomes the unifying element between internal and external worlds, making us believe we live in an extension of the natural environment. This particularity transforms the space scale and living in this houses more poetic and comfortable. This project, conceived over the« innocence» of old local buildings, confirms the lost paradigm of life:« happiness is based on the intelligent use of simplicity».
The Construction, In order to recover the «soul» of the pre-existent constructions and respecting the local traditions, four separate houses were built: two of wood and reeds, and the other two in white concrete, all with thatched roofs - local material harvested on the banks of river Sado. The construction of the huts were made by António Pinela, a local artisan, that every 6 to 6 years has to renew the reeds and thatch.
The living room, It is an open space "hut" and the common area of the "Casas". The fully equipped kitchen is integrated in a beautiful white corian structure. The eating area has a Bigfoot E15 table that sits eight. The living space invites for relaxation on the white Gervasoni Ghost Sofas. The beach sand floor can be heated in winter. The Bedrooms, have concrete floors and minimalist white Corian open plan Bathrooms. The white linen fabric curtains and the Gervasoni Gost Beds contrast with the wooden trunks as bed side tables.
The Garden, was left wild with its spontaneous vegetation on the dunes.
Small, (sandy coloured), swimming pool to refresh the warm summer days.
In the pool area, outdoor furniture by Kettal and a big daybed is built on a local fishing boat.