atelier RUA's light pink house contrasts with surrounding greenery in portugal

Atelier RUA unveils light pink Casa Galamares in Portugal

Atelier RUA arquitectos’ single-family house in Galamares, Portugal, is defined by a light pink exterior that gives the project a clear and memorable identity. Located around 30 minutes from Lisbon with open views over the Serra de Sintra, the project dubbed Casa Galamares is organized across two above-ground floors and a basement, structured around a central courtyard and complemented by a panoramic wraparound terrace that frames the surrounding landscape.

atelier RUA’s single-family house in Galamares

Pink Envelope Shapes Space and Light

The pale pink tone envelops the entire exterior, transforming the house into a singular architectural volume set against dense greenery. Rather than acting as a decorative finish, the color softens the building’s mass and heightens the perception of light and shadow, allowing the architecture to shift subtly throughout the day while remaining distinct within its natural context.

The building takes the form of a near-square volume, from which the northern corner is cut along a diagonal defined by the site boundary. This subtraction introduces a key opening toward the garden and breaks the otherwise inward-looking character of the ground floor. Entry is made from the southern corner, leading directly into the central courtyard, which becomes the spatial and social heart of the house.  Arranged around this courtyard, the kitchen, living room, and dining room form a continuous open-plan environment. Structural elements such as exposed beams and the staircase subtly articulate different areas without interrupting visual continuity, reinforcing a fluid relationship between interior spaces and the outdoor core. Privacy from the surroundings is largely achieved through this inward-facing organization.

a light pink exterior gives the project a clear and memorable identity

Terraces and Light-Filled Basements Extend Living Spaces

The first floor adopts an L-shaped layout and accommodates four bedrooms oriented east and west, with the corner rooms opening onto a shared terrace. Wrapping around the building to the east, south, and west, this elevated outdoor space offers continuous sunlight and panoramic views of the Serra de Sintra, including the Pena and Monserrate palaces. Integrated seating, planting beds, wooden shutters, and a steel pergola supporting climbing vegetation enhance both comfort and use.

Below ground, the basement mirrors the upper floor’s footprint and opens onto two patios to the east and west, bringing natural light and ventilation into the lower level. Through its consistent use of color, compact geometry, and carefully choreographed indoor–outdoor spaces, Casa Galamares presents a restrained yet expressive approach to contemporary domestic architecture in the Sintra landscape.

the structure is complemented by a panoramic wraparound terrace

the house is located around 30 minutes from Lisbon with open views over the Serra de Sintra

the pale pink tone envelops the entire exterior

elevated outdoor spaces offer continuous sunlight and panoramic views

the color heightens the perception of light and shadow

the light pink tiled exterior wraps walls, ceiling, and door

the house is structured around a central courtyard

the light pink exterior contrasts with the greenery

rather than acting as a decorative finish, the color softens the building’s mass

a fluid relationship between interior spaces and the outdoor core is reinforced

entry is made from the southern corner, leading directly into the central courtyard

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structural elements such as exposed beams and the staircase subtly articulate different areas

the project incorporates carefully choreographed indoor–outdoor spaces

patios and terraces bring natural light and ventilation inside

the kitchen, living room, and dining room form a continuous open-plan environment

 

Casa Galamares is organized across two above-ground floors and a basement

privacy from the surroundings is achieved through an inward-facing organization

the bathroom is characterized my marble surfaces

project info: 

name: Casa Galamares
architects: atelier RUA arquitectos
design team: Francisco Freitas, Luís Valente, Paulo Borralho, Rui Didier, Ana Tomé, Sandra Imaz, Ana Carvalho, Fabrizia Della Penna, Cláudia Ribeiro, Marianna Angelucci
landscape architecture: Oficina dos Jardins – Sónia Caldeira, Inês Bordado 
engineering: Acribia Projetos de Engenharia
general contractor: Sampir Engenharia
construction supervision: Ana Santos
location: Galamares, Portugal
area: 420 sqm
photography: Francisco Nogueira