joão cepeda carves granite house into rugged cliffside in portugal

House in Ribeira dos Moinho reconciles with nature

João Cepeda’s House in Ribeira dos Moinhos, carved into the contours of a rugged cliff in Portugal, intertwines architecture with nature. Framed by a group of large blocks of sawn local granite, the house, just like its neighbouring river that streams through the mountains, represents a moment of reconciliation with the environment. It is conceived to be both functional and flexible, featuring a simple residential layout. As a founding essence, all of its interior ‘humid’ spaces emphasize a feeling of refuge and nostalgia, evoking the lost thermal heritage of the region, creating a timeless connection to the past.

all images by rendergram

João Cepeda crafts a unified yet fragmentable concept

The house embodies the concept of a unified yet fragmentable space, an environment with its own distinct character – although, in a way, anonymous and banal. João Cepeda subverts the traditional idea of form following function, leading with design first to accommodate various uses and ensure adaptability over time. ‘After all, as history shows us, ‘configuration’ and ‘functionality’ are as close a relationship as they are an unpredictable identity,’ says the Portuguese architect.

Following a simple program, a private bedroom and the pool are positioned at the rear, enclosed by granite walls, while a large living area with expansive glazing faces east towards the stream known locally as Ribeira dos Moinhos. A rocky stone patio further enhances the house’s connection to its natural surroundings.

João Cepeda carves House in Ribeira dos Moinhos into the contours of a rugged cliff

House in Ribeira dos Moinhos’ design concept follows Álvaro Siza’s ideology that ‘Nature is nature, architecture is geometry,’ and Umberto Eco’s view that ‘We are condemned to find forms that harmonize with Nature, completing it – and nature always triumphs, but subjugated to our disturbances.’ This will always be the role of architecture, according to João Cepeda. Further, as Herberto Helder wrote, ‘Space does not exist, it is a metaphor for time.’ This is how this stone house is — just crafted by time — excavated between the rocky cliffs.

overlooking a small river stream that slices through the mountains

the living room reconciles with nature

the house is framed by a group of large blocks of sawn local granite

a rocky stone patio enhances the house’s connection to its natural surroundings

the elements of the engulfing natural environment are brought inside

the house embodies the concept of a unified yet fragmentable space

project info:

name: House in Ribeira dos Moinhos
architect: João Cepeda | @joaocepedaarch

location: Castelo Branco, Portugal

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom