Articles by Susanna Moreira

When the Andrea Murao Office began developing this project, the main inspiration was to create a space that combined comfort and modernity in a casual and contemporary style. The idea was to make a house that was more than just functional; the office wanted it to have a welcoming atmosphere, where every detail contributed to a sense of well-being. For Andrea Murao, natural light was essential, so she prioritized maximizing sunlight. The single-story structure of the house, with its sloped roof and high ceiling in the living room, was designed to bring the desired charm, creating a bright and pleasant environment.

In this project, we were challenged to design three tiny houses to enhance the unique experience of a very special place: a regenerative agriculture farm at Alqueva, a region in Alentejo, of southeast Portugal. This area is defined by one of the largest dams in Europe, which marks the border between Portugal and Spain. The unique location encompasses the vast Montado forest crossed by the Alqueva Dam, an area also known for stargazing tourism as one of the darkest zones in Europe.

The geometry of a narrow house is settled within a few lines. The intervention happens both in plan projection and in section. Curved walls are intersected with sinuous ceiling resulting in a space that is not static. In the evening, multiple folds and creases create a bizarre game of light and shadow.

The house has more levels and windows than a typical house in similar circumstances normally would. From an outside perspective, the house is both much bigger and much smaller than what would be expected. The rigid rhythm of small openings meets an ordered interior, where living spaces unfold left and right from the central staircase. Inside, a system of split levels is disguised between the slab thicknesses that disappear between the windows. Within the outer perimeter, none of the walls remain opaque; instead, a sequence of transversal glass brick walls on every level divides the spaces while still allowing a blurry glimpse from one to the next. On the top floor, the main spaces find themselves nestled under a vaulted ceiling—the only exception within the otherwise strict system.

Perfect meeting: location of the land, sea view, and the presence of nature. These are the elements that enchanted the couple from Studio Carlito and Renata Pascucci to build the 150m² house, whose residence is the refuge of the professionals. Privileged by its location, as it is between the mountains and the sea, on the coast of São Sebastião (SP), besides being a space for rest, it also shares the sensory experience making it for rental. 

Designed to be a summer house, the clients wanted all the social and service activities in the house to be isolated from the intimate area. As such, the building was sectored so that visitors only had access to the first floor, while residents and guests could stay on the lower floor without being disturbed.

The Gramaxo Foundation, represented by the President of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Maria de Fátima Gramaxo, intends to construct a single-story building on land it owns, as indicated in the attached topographic plan.

Humans are social beings.The interaction between individuals is an essential part of the human experience and helps improve society as a whole. While architecture plays an important role in promoting spaces for people to meet, exchange and socialize, furniture can be a strategic tool for achieving this goal.