carvalho araújo embeds a minimal concrete house into a densely wooded hillside in portugal

peeking between the trees of a forested area next to caniçada reservoir in northern portugal is a three-story dwelling designed by carvalho araújo. the single-family home is called ‘casa na caniçada’ and it replaces an existing building that previously stood on the site. in contrast to the leafy surroundings, the new intervention is composed of minimal interiors and a raw concrete shell decorated only by fine lines of formwork.

images by NUDO

carvalho araújo shaped the traditional pitched roof form of casa na caniçada in reference to the original building that was on the plot. erected on a sloping site, the new house sinks into the landscape with the two lower floors comprising the social functions of the program, and the highest floor reserved for sleeping accommodation. apart from two winding paths and terraces, the rest of the site is left untouched to preserve the existing vegetation and the feeling of protection afforded by the tall trees and leaf canopies.

the lowest floor level contains a large open-plan kitchen area that opens out onto a generous terrace, a place where inhabitants can enjoy outdoor living and be close to nature. the first floor, where residents enter the house, is completely open apart from the stairwell on one side and a sculptural fireplace on the other. on this level, both of the long elevations are clad in glass panels. this glazed elevational treatment allows for visual permeability between the arrival path — through the densely wooded hillside — and the caniçada reservoir. it also helps blur the boundary between inside and outside.

the top floor contains bedroom space and two shower rooms under the roof. unlike typical compartmentalized rooms, the architect surrounded the four bedroom spaces with glass walls and textile partitions, which can be left either open or closed. 

section

lower floor plan

first floor plan

second floor plan

project info:

name: casa na caniçada

location: vieira do minho, portugal

architect: carvalho araújo

photography: NUDO | @nudo.pt