arquitectos matos' geometrically L shaped house in mosteiro

arquitectos matos’ geometrically L shaped house in mosteiro
image © joao morgado
all images courtesy of arquitectos matos

informed by the site’s surrounding characteristics this strong geometric house by portuguese firm arquitectos matos is organized around a single floor level and open courtyard. the bold lines of the ‘L’ shaped volume offer the inhabitants a sense of privacy from the street on the north side, while opening out to the garden on its south-west orientation. located on the outskirts of santa maria da feira in portugal, the site offers a constantly changing landscape. divided into two parts, the longitudinal structure separates the service and leisure areas from the more private bedrooms. an additional volume at the extent of the boundary contains an area for storage, which helps to define the central courtyard. there is an overall balance between positive and negative space with light open parts helping to craft the solid box-like structure. upon entrance to the house, an inward void slices through the front facade revealing the courtyard beyond and providing access to the main interior. immediate access to the patio is provided from these rooms, all of which are externally unified by the porch’s overhang. interacting with the courtyard space, the open plan living and dining are bathed natural light. an interplay of light and dark is contrasted through the building’s materials – an opaque ventilated facade on the on the exterior is made of prefabricated black textured concrete panels, while the interior walls offer large panels of glazing that open out towards the private patio. the simple and compact volume offers a multitude of experience through these varying details.

the bold lines of the ‘L’ shaped volume offer the inhabitants a sense of privacy from the street
image © joao morgado

located on the outskirts of santa maria da feira in portugal, the site offers a constantly changing landscape
image © joao morgado

the house is organized around a single floor level and open courtyard space
image © joao morgado

divided into two parts, the longitudinal structure separates the service and leisure areas from the more private bedroom spaces
image © joao morgado

interior view of the open plan living space
image © joao morgado

the interior spaces are filled with natural light from the large panels of galzing
image © joao morgado
 

detail view of the interior’s material application
image © joao morgado

there is an interplay between positive and negative space with the solid box-like structure
image © joao morgado

the entrance is located in a void between the two volumes
image © joao morgado

 
nighttime view of the geometric volume
image © joao morgado

project info:

architecture: arquitectos matos – ricardo matos and nuno matos
location: santa maria da feira, portugal
client: private
co-author: luís loureiro
architecture collaboration: hugo gomes
photography: joao morgado – architecture photography

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