At the client’s request, House MF in Paredes, Portugal is built in an ‘L’ shape formation. Designed by spaceworkers as Architects, interior spaces are rationally contained within the L-shape and the volumes of an irregular monolith.
The exterior volumes are made of exposed concrete and textured through the wooden formwork used. Strongly delineating between public and private, the volumes to the north entry side are obscured and closed. From the interior of the lot, the volumetric mass is opened up to allow in daylight and forge connections between the interior and garden spaces/pool.
The entry to the house, on the obscured side, is marked by a gravity-defying cantilevered volume that appears to levitate over the front door. Its monolithic and imposing nature contrasts with a large plane of glass upon entering the house that lightly balances and connects the outside world with views of the garden.
The house’s program is playful, yet clearly and rationally arranged within a series of interconnected volumes. Each volume accommodates different functions and the volumes are distinguished from each other via differing heights and depths that result in a unique spatial dynamic. Visual connections link the different volumes together.
Within a volume dedicated to a playroom, openings are positioned close to the floor, thus allowing children to look out over the garden when playing. In the future, the playroom is intended to be used as a study, with the low light providing ideal conditions for the future anticipated use.
In the main bedroom, two volumes that are different in scale are connected via a small interior patio that draws in a bit of green to the house and smooth transition between bedroom, bathroom and dressing room.
The remaining four rooms are continuous with independent indoor/outdoor access to the garden and pool. Bathrooms are illuminated with zenith light through 3 rectangular skylights and closets within the rooms accompany the volumetric play of the house.
The final core, away from the rest, supports the pool and is positioned strategically to obstruct and minimize the visual relationship with the house next door.
