‘house in relva’ by sala2 arquitectos, azores, portugalall images courtesy of sala2 arquitectos
suburban sprawl around the world has led to the rhythmic placement of cloned homes along a linear axis and the ability to create unique residentialspaces is made much harder due to the lack of space, often times strict zoning regulations and clients willing or able to pay for a unique home. in such a neighborhood in sao miguel island that makes up part of the tropical azores, portguese practice sala2 arquitectos designed a residence to block out the more or less mundane surroundings and create a little exterior slice – literally – of heaven inside the private home. following in thesame general typology as the rest of the dwellings, the stark white ‘house in relva’ complies with the local aesthetic, but differs in that it contains a thin sliver of exterior space where a cut of the end wall seems to have been separated from the rest of the volume. in this open-air gap, treated as an exteriorspace, a courtyard and green wall provide a garden washed with light as a retreat away from suburbia. large windows are placed around the perimeterto soak up plenty of the island sun in a light-filled interior.
view from the road outside the property
large windows open up views and let in natural light
detail of the gap space
(left) current green wall(right) expected green wall
current green wall
projected green wall, view from the interior
cantilevering wooden members make up the interior stairs
stairs
windows that look out over the green wall
floor plan / level 0
floor plan / level 1
section
section
massing diagram
scheme
project info:
project: relva houselocation: sao miguel island – azores / portugalclient: privateconstruction area: 223 m2date: 2010-2012status: built in 2012
Feb 10, 2026
Feb 04, 2026
Jan 20, 2026