vítor vilhena aligns all-white dwelling with the landscape of southern portugal

architect vítor vilhena has completed a linear, all-white, single-storey dwelling in the south of portugal. located in são bartolomeu de messines, an inland algarve village, the remote residence is far from the tourism that occupies the coast, and is protected by an undulating green terrain. the ‘house of messines’ replaces the ruins of a previously existing building, which, due to the region’s planning restrictions, defined the form of the new structure.

all images by fernando guerra | video by joão guimarães

vítor vilhena arquitectura ‘overlaid’ the new house on the footprint of the previous structure, aligning the residence on an east-west axis. the rhythm of building’s former fenestration has been recreated in the east façade, with the architects choosing to focus on the site’s privileged views and natural light. to the south, the home’s open plan living area includes the lounge, dining room, and kitchen, while the bedrooms and service entrance are contained within more private and secluded areas.

to the north, the building hovers above the ground allowing vehicles to access a two-car garage. a hidden staircase leads to the roof terrace, which also contains a swimming pool. ‘as a form of respect for the surroundings and not to obstruct more than necessary, we chose to locate the pool on the rooftop,’ explains the design team. from here, both residents and guests can take in encompassing views of the landscape with hardly another house in sight.

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project info:

name: casa em messines / house in messines
office: vítor vilhena arquitectura
architects: vítor vilhena, fábio plácido guimarães, nuno gonçalves, joão simões
location: são bartolomeu de messines, algarve, portugal
completed: 2018
built area: 300 sqm / 3,229 sqf
photography: fernando guerra
video: joão guimarães

windows: panoramah
taps: fantini
toilets: duravit
tiles: bisazza
appliances: bosch
fireplace: focus
kitchens: binova