- Project: House in Fonte das Perdizes
- Architect: GB Arquitectos
- Location: Portugal, Grandola
- Year: 2021
- Area: 500 m2
- Photography: Geraldine Bruneel, José Campos
Integrating Architecture with Alentejo’s Landscape
Set in the rugged natural landscape of Alentejo, the House in Fonte das Perdizes by GB Arquitectos is a striking example of contextual modernism. The design preserves existing holm-oak trees and embraces the chromatic palette of the region, blending contemporary architecture into a timeless rural setting.
The house occupies the only site that allowed both commanding views of the landscape and the preservation of mature trees. These natural elements shaped the design itself, carving courtyards and guiding circulation while rooting the home deeply into the land.
Material Palette: Concrete and Pinewood
Materiality was critical to the project’s integration with its environment. The architects selected dark grey concrete and warm brown pinewood, echoing the tones of local slate stone.
-
Concrete: Used structurally and aesthetically, adjusted to a deep grey to match the landscape and withstand Alentejo’s harsh climate.
-
Pinewood: Treated for durability, its warm tones soften the house’s concrete massing while unifying interiors and exteriors.
This restrained material palette establishes a consistent architectural language, one that balances durability, warmth, and contextual sensitivity.
Spatial Organization: Wings and Walls
The residence is organized into three wings rotated at 45 degrees, aligned East–West. A monumental 47-meter-long blind concrete wall shields the house from the North, protecting interiors from prevailing winds while ensuring privacy.
-
Entrance: Marked by a private patio and an old holm-oak tree, creating a threshold that balances mass and nature.
-
Social Spaces: A 170 m² open-plan living and dining area faces south, framed by a 35-meter glass wall. A dramatic 5-meter cantilevered overhang shades the interiors from the summer sun.
-
Kitchen: Positioned at the center, the kitchen separates the dining area (east wing) from the living area (west wing), with direct access to terraces.
-
Private Quarters: Bedrooms extend into the side wings, accessed by long, light-filled corridors that connect seamlessly with the landscape.
Interiors: Consistency and Continuity
Inside, the material palette continues unbroken: exposed dark concrete for walls, ceilings, and floors, paired with custom pinewood millwork. This continuity creates a unified aesthetic, with bespoke details reinforcing the design language:
-
3-meter-tall pivoting doors
-
Pinewood wall claddings and shutters
-
Custom wardrobes, kitchen, and bathroom cabinetry
The restrained use of materials emphasizes space, light, and proportion rather than ornament. The result is an interior atmosphere that is minimalist yet deeply tactile, modern yet rooted in Alentejo tradition.
A House Balanced Between Landscape and Modernity
The House in Fonte das Perdizes exemplifies how contemporary architecture can integrate into fragile rural contexts without overpowering them. By preserving trees, embracing natural tones, and crafting bold yet simple volumes, GB Arquitectos have created a residence that is both monumental and sensitive.
It is not only a private home but also a testament to how Portuguese architecture continues to bridge tradition, landscape, and modern living.
