Falésia D’El Rey House / [i]da arquitectos / Portugal

• Project: Falésia D’El Rey House
• Architect: [i]da arquitectos
• Location: Portugal, Obidos
• Year: 2023
• Area: 814 m2
• Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

A Coastal Refuge Between Sky, Sand, and Sea

Perched atop the windswept cliffs of Portugal’s Silver Coast, the Falésia D’El Rey House by [i]da arquitectos explores the dialogue between architecture and landscape. Set in Óbidos, the residence embraces the rugged Atlantic horizon while offering refuge from its fierce coastal winds. Designed in 2023, this 814-square-meter home captures the poetic essence of coastal living—where shelter, exposure, and light coexist in delicate balance.

The project responds to its unique topography with an architectural composition that both protects and opens. Rather than imposing on the landscape, the house becomes an extension of it—a sculpted geometry shaped by wind, sun, and view.

Architecture Rooted in Context

The site faces the powerful Atlantic Ocean, where salt-laden winds and intense light challenge any architectural gesture. [i]da arquitectos approached the project with restraint and precision. The building’s two-level composition—a grounded plinth and a cantilevered upper volume—anchors the home while allowing it to hover lightly above the dune-like terrain.

The lower level acts as a protective base, organizing patios, terraces, and outdoor rooms that remain comfortable even during high winds. The upper L-shaped volume captures panoramic views of the sea and coastline, floating above the landscape with calm confidence. Its geometry creates shaded zones that extend the living areas outdoors throughout the day.

Spatial Flow and Interior Experience

Inside, the plan unfolds through a sequence of framed vistas and fluid transitions. The main living spaces—kitchen, dining, and lounge—occupy the elevated volume, aligned toward the horizon. Continuous glazing blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior, while natural materials and soft tones reflect the muted palette of sand and stone.

Private areas, including bedrooms and guest suites, are arranged along quieter axes, ensuring privacy without severing the connection to the outdoors. Circulation is intuitive and minimal, guided by light and framed perspectives of the ocean and pine-covered dunes.

Material Harmony and Atmosphere

The material language is rooted in local sensibility—sand-colored plaster, timber panels, and white concrete. These elements merge with the natural landscape rather than contrast it. The exterior’s clean lines are softened by subtle textural shifts, creating a refined yet tactile finish.

Glass balustrades and deep overhangs maintain the purity of the form while providing climate responsiveness. The palette enhances the interplay of light and shadow across the façades, reinforcing the architectural calmness the project seeks to evoke.

Living With the Elements

More than a coastal residence, Falésia D’El Rey House is an exercise in environmental choreography. Passive design principles govern its form: orientation, shading, and natural ventilation reduce dependence on mechanical systems. Courtyards function as pressure valves for cross-ventilation, while overhangs and recessed openings protect against glare and solar gain.

The result is a home that lives with the Atlantic, not against it—embracing the drama of its setting while offering tranquility through architecture.

Conclusion

Falésia D’El Rey House exemplifies [i]da arquitectos’ commitment to designing with sensitivity and precision. Every gesture—structural, spatial, or material—is informed by the site’s climate and character. In this home, architecture becomes both a frame for the landscape and a sanctuary within it, balancing openness and intimacy in a place where earth meets ocean.