House in Malveira, Portugal
2002
ARX Portugal, Architects

Photography : FG + SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

This house is located on the top of a hill, where one has a magnificent view over the landscape.



Despite its vernacular aspect, it was built in the 80's incorporating stonework from demolished houses. Inside all spaces were structured around a central staircase which laid on the axis of the house, thus servicing all the unleveled platforms.
Paradoxically, the house did not suggest any interesting relation between the interior and the exterior, not in a manner which would bring up the singularity of the site.
This architectural intervention kept the essential morphology of the house, like for instance the traditional pitched roof. All windows were simplified as to configure simple glass panels and painted steel frames replaced the old stone ones.
The biggest transformation took place at the roof level where the existing skylights were closed and an attic overlooking the view was created. After removing the existing masonry, the whole southern front was transformed into a glass facade opening to the surroundings.



The  interior refurbishment happened essentially on the upper levels and mostly by subtraction. In the private areas the walls were demolished creating a master bedroom in open-space. The kitchen and the dining room were reorganized spatially and structurally even though they kept their initial use. The lower levels, due to economical restrictions, remained intact in their essence. The basement was connected to the upper levels through a spiral staircase aligned with the existing one.
On the outside the swimming pool was built on a platform leveled with the lounge area. It was linked to the house in a wide gesture limited by the garden pavilion which completely reframed the landscape. In this point the old stone work was remounted with a bench near the water, under the shade.



House in Malveira images / information from ARX 060109



Portugal Buildings



House in Malveira - Credits:

Address: Funchal, Malveira, Portugal

Project: 2001-02

Construction: 2002

Architecture: ARX PORTUGAL, Arquitectos Lda. - José Mateus, Nuno Mateus

Project Team: Paulo Rocha, Stefano Riva, Marco Roque Antunes, Nuno Grancho, Tiago Santos

Structural Engineering: SAFRE, Projectos e Estudos de Engenharia Lda.

Photography: FG + SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura
Photography : Fernando Guerra  |  Photographic Production : Sérgio Guerra
® copyright

Area:450  sqm

ARX



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House in Malveira Building - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt