Contemporary residence located on a hexagonal plot in a dense pine forest

Architects: ColectivArquitectura
Location: Almada, Portugal
Year: 2011
Area: 4.381 ft²/ 407 m²
Photo courtesy: FG+SG
Description:

“Situated in a dense pine forest, the hexagonal plot had no references to the choice of location for the construction. It was conditioned by ‘occupation zone’ defined by the Master Plan – a circle of 12.50 m (37.5 ft) radius centered at hexagon that defines the perimeter of the plot.

To take advantage of the characteristics of the plot, sun exposure, the natural slope of the terrain and the nearby surroundings, we chose to define a volume in which the horizontality prevails and that, although split into two levels, the image of earthen construction does prevail by partially burying the lower floor level, in contrast with the verticality of the existing trees.

The construction with reinforced structure, and visible concrete on the lower floor, assuming the function of the material and with a structure and coating of Cumarú wood upstairs – with significant advantages in thermal and acoustic comfort -, develops in a U-shape form, defined by three intersecting volumes, forming an open courtyard to the West, limited, to the South, by the swimming pool.

The ground level, partially buried, is occupied by a storage compartment in the basement area, a two-car garage and the entrance hall, both with North facing access, a support room with private toilet and a compartment that serves simultaneously as laundry and a poolside toilet, the swimming pool being located to the east. There is also a small compartment for pool equipment, with access only from the outside.

Upstairs, the non-permanence areas, as the vestibule and part of the circulation areas, face North. The master bedroom, with toilet support, faces South and West, the remaining two bedrooms, also facing South, turn to the patio, the kitchen faces South and East, and the living room faces South and North, taking advantage of the visual threading on the pool and the golf courses of the allotment, as well as on the patio.

The intervention in the landscape, includes a car access to the North area of the plot, and was designed considering the preservation and reinforcement of the existing plant species.”