extrastudio transforms historic winery in portugal into secluded 'red house'

architecture firm extrastudio has transformed a former winery in portugal into a secluded two-storey home. the residence — photographed here by fernando guerra — is located in a small village south of lisbon, which, with its mediterranean climate and sheltered setting, created the ideal conditions for growing grapes and producing wine. built by the client’s grandparents at the beginning of the 20th century, the original structure is set back from the main road and remains accessible via a narrow alley.

all images by fernando guerra | FG+SG

conceived as an oasis in the middle of the village, extrastudio chose to preserve the plot’s small orchard of orange trees, which subsequently meant retaining the original building despite its lack of windows. in order to ensure a close relationship between interior and exterior space, a 14 meter-long window was cut into the façade facing the orchard. meanwhile, a courtyard inserted into the corner abutting the adjacent properties allows light to enter the darkest areas of the house.

the former winery has been transformed into a secluded two-storey home

the property’s generously propositioned communal areas are found at ground level, with the more private rooms contained above. ‘the private areas unfold on the upper level, flanking the facades, generating a sequence of strategically placed voids, which create double and triple height spaces on the ground floor below,’ explain the architects. ‘a 9-meter high ceiling gives a palace-like dimension to the entrance hall and open-air showers are possible in the courtyard.’

the property has been appropriately titled ‘red house’

in order to retain the building’s walls, the design team had to source a new lime mortar that would be compatible with the existing surface. when the new mortar is exposed to oxygen it begins to petrify, slowly turning into stone. to reinforce the building’s presence, a natural red pigment was added which takes on a variety of different appearances depending on weather and climatic conditions.

a dark reflecting pool in the garden recalls the form of an old irrigation tank

during construction, other existing materials were preserved and upcycled: roof tiles were reused, while recovered stone was transformed into sills. even the timber roof structure now has a new lease of life as an exterior deck. raised above the ground, a dark reflecting pool in the garden recalls the form of an old irrigation tank, allowing residents to swim in what the architects describe as an ‘absolute void’.

residents can swim in what the architects describe as an ‘absolute void’

raised above ground, the pool reflects the site’s constantly changing conditions

communal areas of the home are found at ground level

mirrors have been used to establish a greater sense of space

private areas unfold across the upper level

openings in the roof provide abundant natural light

a 14 meter-long window has been cut into the façade facing the orchard

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extrastudio red house azeitao portgual designboom

project info:

location: vendas de azeitão, portugal
program: single family house, 360 sqm
budget: €220,000
client: private
year: 2011-2016
architecture: joão caldeira ferrão, joão costa ribeiro, madalena atouguia, daniela freire, maria joão oliveira, sónia oliveira, tiago pinhal, rita rodrigues
landscape architecture: oficina dos jardins – sónia caldeira, ines bordado
consultants: PRPC engenheiros lda (structural engineering, plumbing, gas, building physics and acoustics), mário andrade (electrical), gonçalo de meirelles (gas)
contractor: sequeira e serra lda
photography: fernando guerra | FG+SG and extrastudio