House in Caxias

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

House in Caxias

João Caetano Arquitetura

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Baldios Arquitectos Paisagistas

INSTALATIONS
Espaço Energia Gabinete de Estudos e Projectos

STRUCTURE
PPE Planeamento e Projectos de Engenharia

PHOTOGRAPHS
Nuno Almendra

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Oeiras, Portugal

CATEGORY
Houses

The house is built as part of a detached housing masterplan with set parameters for maximum built area, number of storeys and offset distances to the boundary.

The plot presented a difficult shape and a pronounced slope with the additional challenge of the larger garden area and the nicer views facing towards North.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

An existing mature pine tree next to the road marks the plot.

The house faces away from the street, its walls extending beyond the volume of the home to screen the living spaces from the neighbouring plots.

The grounds are densely planted which will intensify the feeling of privacy over time.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

Vegetation and construction alternate and balance each other – bushes concealing the construction and tree tops peering behind walls.

The first floor is set back from the pine tree canopy. The house is pink in contrast with the greenery surrounding it.

Given the accentuated slope of the terrain the basement level (garage, storage and plant areas), together with the swimming pool terrace, act as a solid plinth that receives the upper floors.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

On the ground floor the living area opens up simultaneously to the North towards the swimming pool and the views and to the South to an enclosed landscaped patio that screens direct views from the street, thus addressing the orientation challenge between views and optimum solar exposure.

Entering the house, the closed external frontage is immediately countered by open views to the courtyard and to the northern terrace and wider views beyond.

The vegetation in the patio is exuberant and lush with a profusion of flowers, colours and scents that invade the interior in springtime.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

The south facing patio and the swimming pool northern terrace come together with the interior to create a continuous big space for informal use and relaxation.

On the first floor the bedrooms make the most of the southern orientation.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra

The windows are generous in size whilst providing a sense of seclusion with high sills, and solid shutters allow a regulated relationship with the outside.

House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra
House in Caxias
© Nuno Almendra


House in Caxias
Elevations
House in Caxias
Sections


House in Caxias
Basement floor plan
House in Caxias
Ground floor plan
House in Caxias
First floor plan
House in Caxias
Aerial photo