M & M's h o u s e | José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira

A single-family dwelling; a 1500 m² plot of land in Trofa.
From Rua do Carvalhinho to the north, the topography drops 2,4 m to the adjacent road
to the south. In the east, the elevation of the abutting soil rises 2 m above the land.

We demolished the old farming house facing the road made of soft stone and clay, with a packed earth floor. An urban annoyance.

We kept the square schist well, the old fruit tree and the location of the old accesses to the land
on the north and south sides. The geometric reasons for the proposal were in place – tree and well.
We tried an "S", and we failed. 
We tried a "4", and we failed.

It emerged an "H", that occupied the centre of the land: the "legs" around the tree and the "arms" sourrounding the well.

The "H" permitted to create a social patio to the south, sheltered from the slanting east and west sunlight and protected from the predominant north-westerly winds.
The entrance patio is to the north.
The house has a single floor (as if) carved from the earth. A high threshold grants access to the landscaped roof.

The centre of the volume houses the most frequently used areas and the daily
activities: entrance, distribution, services and meals.
The west wing is reserved for meeting, relaxation and services such as the bathrooms and laundry.
To the east the two bodies connect to the central volume (stretching northwards
and southwards) to make up the rest of the "H", spaces used as garage and lounge area.