MW house is a contemporary residence located in Quinta da Bicuda, in Cascais. Its surroundings are characterized by a high-density suburban fabric, strongly marked by the presence of single-family homes and the close proximity of the lots. In this context, the duality of privacy and exposure takes center stage in the design, resulting in a project whose conceptualization is structured around a strong connection to green spaces.

The building takes the form of a rectangular volume consisting of a ground floor and a basement level, designed to navigate the neighborhood’s constraints. The project is organized around an interior courtyard with an area of approximately 42 m² and is surrounded by a perimeter garden that extends over 650 m². This morphological configuration establishes a continuous relationship between interior and exterior.

The living areas unfold as a fluid spatial sequence that connects the living room, dining room, and kitchen, extending seamlessly to the terraces and the garden through large openings. At the same time, the generous circulation areas are oriented toward the central courtyard. It is in this transition and interface with the courtyard that one of the most striking elements emerges through the use of a wooden slat screen custom-designed for the project. This panel acts as a tactile and visual filter, ensuring privacy and creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow throughout the day.

In contrast, the private areas maintain an unambiguously intimate character. The bedrooms prioritize comfort and tranquility, offering select views of the garden and balancing seclusion with the continuous presence of the outdoor space.

The choice of materials reinforces the home’s identity and clarity, emphasizing the contrast of textures. The raw quality of the exposed concrete and the warmth of the wood interact with the lightness of the large glazed openings. To unify the architectural language, black was used sparingly on the window frames and in certain details, lending a graphic and precise quality to the building’s form. The result is a piece of architecture that, in the face of the dense surroundings, creates its own landscape and sense of intimacy, taking advantage of the courtyard layout and expressive materials to enhance everyday living.