Casa na Areia:
Transparency and Integration
ARX Portugal
By Nuno Mateus and José Mateus, ARX Portugal
Casa na Areia sits within the uneven and wind-swept landscape of Guincho. Here, the architecture redefines the traditional relationship between domestic space and the territory. Architects Nuno and José Mateus (ARX Portugal) designed an object that appears to emerge directly from the topography.
Camouflage and Landscape Integration
The material selection functions as a strategy of deep camouflage. Therefore, the mineral tone of the volume merges with the low-lying vegetation and earthy palette of the surroundings. The structure becomes almost invisible from a distance. Furthermore, the green roof ensures the ecosystemic continuity of the land.
The programmatic organization of the residence centers on two internal courtyards. These elements act as light-capturing devices. Simultaneously, they provide essential protection against the region’s strong winds.
Glass as an Invisible Skin
In this project, glass acts as a functional membrane rather than a traditional window. Consequently, the separation between the interior and exterior disappears. The facades rely on the precision of panoramah! solutions. Specifically, the team chose the ah!38 and ah!60 systems to allow the light and dunes to enter the spaces without interruption.
Performance and Technical Efficiency
The ah!38 system ensures maximum elegance through its slim profiles. For this reason, it is ideal for large glazed surfaces. In addition, the ah!60 series elevates the building’s performance to excellence. This system offers superior structural resistance and reinforced thermal insulation. Such features are vital for facing direct winds and high coastal salinity.
Transparency and Sensory Experience
This combination of systems allows for large-scale spans that glide with subtle grace. As a result, absolute transparency coexists with the most rigorous standards of tightness and acoustic efficiency.
This transparency serves as a necessary counterpoint to the density of the concrete. Thus, the glazed surfaces transform social areas into open terraces. The physical limit of the house disappears in favor of the sensory experience of the site.
Casa na Areia reveals itself as an architectural exercise that allows nature and light to manifest in their full magnificence.
More photos here.
ARX Portugal
