miguel marcelino creates a house on a warehouse in portugal

miguel marcelino creates a ‘house on a warehouse‘
image © joao morgãdo
all images courtesy of miguel marcelino, arquitecto

portuguese architect miguel marcelino designs three bedroom house above a 1980s warehouse overlooking a valley in chicharo, torres novas. the existing building’s footprint dictates that of the residence above. the small box-like structure occupies less than half of the existing roof. its overhang is maintained, with a railing added to make a wrap-around balcony. above the plane is duplicated, creating a substantial shading device. the exterior is made of brick, white-washed in the style of mediterranean architecture.

inside the rooms are laid out on the eastern side of the home, and toilets and the kitchen face the west, where windows frame views of a hundred-year-old olive tree. the living room is located to the south, allowing ample daylight into the space overlooking the valley. the south-east corner is diagonally cut away to enlarge the balcony, offering an outdoor area protected from the sun and rain.

the corner is cut away, creating an exaggerated cantilevered roof
image © joao morgãdo

a delicate bridge spans from from the hill above to the main entrance of the house
image © joao morgãdo

the texture of the bricks and rhythmic apertures contrasts against the smooth solid concrete warehouse
image © joao morgãdo

view of the valley from the balcony
image © joao morgãdo

at the corner one feels simultaneously indoors and out
image © joao morgãdo

a rich palette of natural and synthetic materials are layered throughout the home
image © joao morgãdo

(left): view from the livingroom
(right): bathroom
image © joao morgãdo

view from the bedroom
image © joao morgãdo

by night
image © joao morgãdo

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project info:

project name: house on a warehouse / casa sobre armazém
architect: miguel marcelino, arquitecto
structural & plumbing engineering: 560ENg (joão esteves)
general contractor: joão felicio
gross floor area: 138 sq m
gross volume: 437 m3
building footprint: 114 sqm
site area: 4.108 sq m
location: chicharo, torres novas, portugal