clashing geometries define fala atelier's 'six houses and a garden' project in porto

fala atelier’s ‘six houses and a garden’ project in porto combines a series of clashing geometries that define its exterior and interior spaces. occupying two buildings with a similar appearance, one very long and another very short, the project comprises six residences around one common garden. orthogonal, diagonal and curved lines compose each interior, while the exterior features a rhythmic façade of thin metal columns, striped blue doors, and black boxy skylights. all images by ricardo loureiro, drawings courtesy of fala atelier

hidden inside a city block in porto, fala atelier‘s latest project comprises six houses – four identical and two exceptional – built around one common garden. on the outside, a continuous row of thin metal columns frames the garden, making it impossible to understand where each house begins or ends. the two buildings are topped with a roof made of two layers: a metal sheet; and a pink wavy plane attached below it, emphasising the thinness of the surface.

inside, the houses are defined by a composition of orthogonal, diagonal and curved lines. the slightly distorted perimeter of the rooms sets the frames, while the main spaces are derived from a subtraction of conflicting surfaces that comprise secondary programs. thin metal poles bring in vertical tension, and round openings connect uneven programs.

though small in volume, the living rooms of the houses acquire an unconventional, intriguing character thanks to this combination of ambivalent geometries. fala atelier has chosen a material palette that follows the complexity of these ‘awkward interiors’. polished blue marble is used on the floors, the tilted ceiling is colored in pink, the horizontal slabs are rough concrete, and walls are painted white. wooden doors, exaggerated handles and hints of pink marble accompany this game of surfaces.