maria fradinho designs and builds her own office and home on a 940 m2 lot located on the outskirts of ílhavo, portugal. the project is inspired by the region’s porcelain industries and aims to make reference to industrial architecture by the form of the pitched roof and the use of metallic materials on the exterior of the house.
all images courtesy of maria fradinho
fradinho designs the main façade to align with the elevation of neighboring buildings, however it is stylized to allow the permeability of light and views. the strong pitched roof element, or ‘arch’, forms the visual identity of the building and gives it it’s name. from this front elevation, the house recedes inwards, evoking a sense of privacy and protection, and allowing the face behind to be made up of largely glazed elements as it is mostly obscured from the public street.
the entrance hall is a small ‘wooden box’ which provides a feeling of intimacy and welcoming. after arriving, the volume then changes dramatically and users are met with a large, almost triple-height space and views out to the back garden. the architect articulates these rooms to create a clear transition from private to public. the living room becomes the heart of the home and it’s openness ensures a visual link to other areas of the house. in essence, the arch house is defined by the contrasts between private and public. the theatrical front façade subtly entices you in, while the fully glazed rear elevation brings in vast amounts of light and creates a direct connection to the outside.
project info:
project name: the arch house
architect: maria fradinho
location: ilhavo, portugal
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynne myers | designboom
architecture in portugal (154 articles)
the minimalist casa luum villa by pedro domingos embraces local topography
corpo atelier's apartment in vilamoura blurs the line between architecture and sculpture
nuno piedade alexandre projects rooms outward to form elderly care center in portugal
residential architecture and interiors (289 articles)
architecture news
sidewalk labs taps snøhetta and heatherwick studio to design new toronto neighborhood
#architecture
the community will use new technology to address urban challenges and improve residents' quality of life.
the community will use new technology to address urban challenges and improve residents' quality of life.
curved building by jun igarashi architects doubles as sake store and residence in japan
#architecture
clad in wooden slats, the structure resembles the topography of a cove.
clad in wooden slats, the structure resembles the topography of a cove.
new robot science museum will construct itself in seoul
#architecture
designed by melike altınışık architects, the museum will start its first exhibition with its own construction by robots on site.
designed by melike altınışık architects, the museum will start its first exhibition with its own construction by robots on site.
napur architect reveals updated design for budapest's museum of ethnography
#architecture
the new building forms part of liget budapest, a vast development that involves the complete rehabilitation of the centrally located city park.
the new building forms part of liget budapest, a vast development that involves the complete rehabilitation of the centrally located city park.