The project of this house foresees both to reconstruct and augment a ruin into a weekend retreat at a plot with extraordinary morphological characteristics, within Cavado River and its tributary.
Since the first visit of the site it was clear we were dealing with a delicate project. The project placement on the plot was essential given that the surroundings were the main reference for the construction. Having practiced water-ski for 20 years, the river grounds the weekend house for the clients.
For them, the exceptional outlook one enjoys should be an element of the house; for us, architects, should be an evident inside space value, but also, the opposite concern was relevant - the house could only act as a significant element on the landscape.
The fundamental decision revealed itself through the house orientation. Its final location on site, at right angles to the slop, seeks for a better relation with the plot and the platform where it “lays”, avoiding all trees and damage to the outside area. The weightless intervention enhanced by the overhanging part that shoots off the riverbank cliff maximizes the transparent appearance from the river reducing land occupancy.
As a half-buried house in its relation to the main access it appears diminished; on the other hand, from the river it appears as a glass frame dissimulated on the vegetation. The concrete plasticity in relation with the luxuriant flora was determinant, therefore the careful concrete cast drawing.
2003
2006
Architecture: Graça Correia, Roberto Ragazzi
Collaborators:Ana Neto Vieira, Susana Silva, Telmo Gomes, Katharina Wiederman, Pedro Gama
Engineers: GOP, GET
CONSTRUCTION: Almeidas & Magalhães, Lda
Graça Correia
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