A Jagged Concrete Home Emerges From its Rocky Landscape in Portugal
Crafted as a "humanized cave," a contemporary concrete home in Leiria combines live, work, and play for a young family.
Crafted as a "humanized cave," a contemporary concrete home in Leiria combines live, work, and play for a young family.
Inspired by the limestone caves of central Portugal, Leiria-based Contaminar Arquitetos has crafted Casa Povo, a unique three-bedroom, two-bath home that more strongly resembles the rocky terroir than its traditional brick neighbors.
To reduce site impact, Contaminar Arquitetos adapted the design to the existing sloped terrain.
Fernando Guerra - FG + SG
Since the south side of the home faces a public road, the architects minimized openings for privacy. The entrance on the right is used by the family and leads directly to the living room. The entrance on the left side leads to the roof.
Fernando Guerra - FG + SG
Built entirely of concrete with a jagged, asymmetrical form, Casa Povo was conceived in the likeness of a cave. "It’s an austere, carved, and denticulated refuge that is humanized by its occupants," explain the architects. "This premise is a look and a tribute to the beginnings of humanity and its symbiotic relationship with the environment it inhabits; it contains in itself the paradox of the perennial and harsh stones that become a natural and maternal refuge."
To strengthen Casa Povo’s ties to the terrain, the architects allowed the sloped site to inform its massing, which comprises two and a half levels that step downward from south to north. Floor-to-ceiling glazing as well as a south-facing courtyard blur the boundary between indoors and out.
Oriented toward the south for natural light and warmth, the sloped courtyard is adapted to the irregular terrain.
Fernando Guerra - FG + SG
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Jagged Concrete Home Emerges From its Rocky Landscape in Portugal
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