House in Ourém | Filipe Saraiva

The house is located on a piece of land in Ourém, characterized by its rectangular configuration, with a descending slope in the south direction (next to the public road). The difference in height between the highest point and the lowest point is approximately 4.50m. It is a farmland with a natural landscape, facing south and overlooking the Castle of Ourém.

In formal terms, the house results in a simple and perfectly regular volume, almost monolithic, that lands on the ground, in the longitudinal direction of its inclination, in an intermediate point overlooking the street. The concept stems from the archetypical form of the representation of a house, as a a polygon of regular geometric shape, generally well proportioned and with balanced dimensions. Through this the architect aims to emphasize the characteristics of the house that are transversal to each one of us, since the house is first and foremotst a shelter that protects us from the world that surrounds us; our safe haven and our own world.

The project was developed based on the modular composition principle, creating a proper rhythm in the façades and roofing. The constructive method adopted consists in the use of prefabricated black concrete panels, with a regular dimension, that defines the stereotomy of the project, since it is composed of repeated modules arranged sequentially. The use of black concrete as a material aims for a smooth integration in harmony with the landscape, as well as reduce maintenance costs. The pergola assumes the same design, as an extension from the house.

– edited text provided by the author of the project

Facts & Credits
location: Melroeira – Ourém
construction Area: 410m2
year of Project: 2015
year of Construction: 2016
architect: Filipe Saraiva
collaborators: Andreia Correia, Agnieszka Marques
specialties: Rui Santos, Equação Dupla
construction: Vigobloco
3D Image: Sintoniametrica
models: Filipe Saraiva
photography: Joao Morgado – Architecture Photography

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