- House
- Crestuma, Vila Nova de Gaia, 1994
The house in Crestuma, in Gaia, is a residence on a very steep slope, facing the Douro River and the North. The three-bedroom (T3) layout is spread over two floors. Only the upper floor faces the sun. The house is designed to ensure thermal comfort and visual comfort in all living spaces. All living spaces are illuminated by the direct incidence of sunlight and, at the same time, allow for the enjoyment of the unobstructed view over the Douro River.
The location
The plot is narrow and long and occupies the highest part of a hill that borders the Douro River.
The northern part has a steep slope facing the river, and a breathtaking view. The rest of the plot has a moderate slope to the south that borders a narrow path without infrastructure.
The access
The formal access to the property is the national road, to the north. However, vehicle access is via a rural path that leads to the upper part of the plot, at the southern end. On the northern slope, any vehicle access is impractical.
The house
The house and the garage are located near the top of the plot. Only in this position can the house be exposed to the sun.
Together, the house and the garage contribute to the formation of a horizontal platform on the plot. This level platform results in a south-facing courtyard for vehicle access to the garage and the upper floor of the house.
The functional program of the house requires it to be developed over two floors.
All living spaces face the Douro River, to the north. However, direct sunlight to these spaces is ensured. It happens through windows facing the courtyard and through the skylight in the roof, which runs longitudinally through the house.
The lower floor of the house in Crestuma receives sunlight through "light wells." One of these "wells" corresponds to the double height that connects the overlapping rooms.
From the sloping roof, continuing from the skylight, results in a huge window to the south, filling both floors with sunlight. The other "light well" illuminates the office adjacent to the living room on the lower floor with sunlight. However, the sun reaches through the opening in the facade that also illuminates the kitchen.
The dining room, on the upper floor, is the predominant space for arriving at the house and circulating between the various functional spaces.
The bedroom hallway is also a space for leisure or study and has access to the outdoors.
The location
The plot is narrow and long and occupies the highest part of a hill that borders the Douro River.
The northern part has a steep slope facing the river, and a breathtaking view. The rest of the plot has a moderate slope to the south that borders a narrow path without infrastructure.
The access
The formal access to the property is the national road, to the north. However, vehicle access is via a rural path that leads to the upper part of the plot, at the southern end. On the northern slope, any vehicle access is impractical.
The house
The house and the garage are located near the top of the plot. Only in this position can the house be exposed to the sun.
Together, the house and the garage contribute to the formation of a horizontal platform on the plot. This level platform results in a south-facing courtyard for vehicle access to the garage and the upper floor of the house.
The functional program of the house requires it to be developed over two floors.
All living spaces face the Douro River, to the north. However, direct sunlight to these spaces is ensured. It happens through windows facing the courtyard and through the skylight in the roof, which runs longitudinally through the house.
The lower floor of the house in Crestuma receives sunlight through "light wells." One of these "wells" corresponds to the double height that connects the overlapping rooms.
From the sloping roof, continuing from the skylight, results in a huge window to the south, filling both floors with sunlight. The other "light well" illuminates the office adjacent to the living room on the lower floor with sunlight. However, the sun reaches through the opening in the facade that also illuminates the kitchen.
The dining room, on the upper floor, is the predominant space for arriving at the house and circulating between the various functional spaces.
The bedroom hallway is also a space for leisure or study and has access to the outdoors.