1. Home
  2. Award 2024
  3. Villa
  4. Casa Libre, An idyllic house with an endless ocean view

Casa Libre, An idyllic house with an endless ocean view

Mário Martins Atelier

Villa  /  Completed
Mário Martins Atelier

The client wanted a single floor house with raw materials that would age without requiring restoration of its time scars, they had in mind to have a more intimate corner to enjoy the breathtaking views, so we made the roof accessible and created a simple and natural place to sit and relax towards the ocean, enjoying the green space that surround and cover the house. The connection with the exterior was important to them. The patio in the centre of the house was created, marked by a carob tree, that defines the accesses, connects and separates the social areas of the living room and kitchen, facing south, from the more private areas with four bedrooms, located in the east wing. To the north and west are the garage, technical and other support areas.

On a sunny hillside overlooking the bay Lagos, in Portugal, Casa Libre faces inwards, towards the privacy of its patio, but is also open to the south, where the view becomes lost in the immense sea.
The house, instead of being imposing, allows itself to be taken over by the vegetation, which grows and flourishes, making outdoors tempting. The house continues to the garden which seems to want to embrace the house, in this way its limits are lost, which results in a better way of living.

With a clean, square design, the house, on a single floor in exposed concrete, which requires less maintenance as a material.The house orientation makes it possible to maximize the solar gains at the south façade without overheating by the existence a canopy providing shade to the existing glass. On the north façade reduced the openings to prevent energy losses.We took advantage of the region’s strong sun using solar energy, with careful installation of solar and photovoltaic panels, which along with heat pumps, guarantee a highly efficient use of energy, it was also added storage to reuse the rainwater for the drainage systems. And so Casa Libre is, and should always be, the result of creative freedom in the search for new and improved solutions, while respecting people and places.

Casa Libre, with a clean square design, faces inwards towards the privacy of its patio, but also opens to the south, where the view becomes lost in the immense sea. The weight of concrete coexists with the transparency of the glazed surface shaded by that loose and very slim canopy, also in exposed concrete, being probably the most striking feature of the house due to its design and elegance. The house, instead of being imposing, allows itself to be taken over by the vegetation, which grows and flourishes, making outdoors tempting.

A discreet house, but timeless, with elements marked by elegance of a very slim and long concrete canopy, that loose itself to float and guarantee a pleasant outdoor space, turned out to be a challenge.

The design of the house is a result of environmental concerns. And, also for this reason, there is a strong connection between the house and its place. In fact, the house and its place are a whole, where one lives intensely and appreciates life better.

With elements and memories of the regional architecture, a house with contemporary design is created, merged with the site and does not want to impose itself as an architectural element that is too stately. The design of the house is a result of environmental concerns.

Credits

 Lagos
 Portogallo
 Confidential
 07/2022
 416 m2
 Confidential
 Mário Martins
 Tiago Martins; Sónia Fialho; André Coutinho; Hugo Correia; Mariana Franco; Susana Jóia; Ricardo Lopes
 Raiz Engenharia
 FG+SG Photography

Curriculum

The company, MÁRIO MARTINS - ATELIER DE ARQUITECTURA, LDA, based in Lagos and Lisbon, Portugal, has worked in the field of architecture and urban planning for about 30 years. The company consists of a diverse team of permanent staff, a group of technical teams, who work together in the different areas and specializations of projects. The work from the past decades, resulted in a considerable volume and diversity of built projects: single family houses, collective housing,residential condominiums, touristic developments,private and public facilities, urban renewal and urban planning. His work of many years has garnered him a number of national and international awards. His works have been widely disseminated in exhibitions, conferences and publications, including five monographs. Working for clients of diverse backgrounds and cultures enriches him personally,professionally and humanly. Knowledge and doubt encourage creativity. MMA looks for the future with profound respect for the past.

https://mariomartins.com/


© Maggioli SpA • THE PLAN • Via del Pratello 8 • 40122 Bologna, Italy • T +39 051 227634 • P. IVA 02066400405 • ISSN 2499-6602 • E-ISSN 2385-2054
ITC Avant Garde Gothic® is a trademark of Monotype ITC Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and which may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.