The House of 15 Windows is located in a development of 15 dwellings in Antanhol, Coimbra, on a plot of irregular geometry that serves as a pivot point between two alignments. This condition was decisive for the volumetric composition, which results from the relationship between the physical context and the functional program. The project responds to the site’s planimetric and altimetric constraints, as well as to the position of the future houses foreseen in the development. To reinforce this connection, the house opens to the landscape through 15 openings—one for each dwelling—overlooking the valley and the village church bell tower, a symbolic landmark that forms part of the local collective memory. It is organized into two volumes parallel to the façades of the nearest houses, connected by a third triangular volume that serves as an entrance and interior circulation core.
The entrance acts as the central point of the home, from which all areas are distributed. Natural light plays a key role: every room receives direct or indirect illumination, including interior spaces, via skylights. The 15 windows, strategically positioned, shape the spaces and establish different visual relationships with the surroundings, optimizing daylight entry and framing views. Thermal comfort relies on a passive approach, with continuous high-performance insulation in façades and roof, thermally broken frames, and low-emissivity double glazing. Cross-ventilation is made possible by the window layout, complemented by controlled mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, ensuring air quality and preventing humidity. Environmental sustainability is reflected in the choice of materials and in strategies for resource conservation, promoting energy efficiency and durability.
The house features low-consumption LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable systems such as photovoltaic panels and a water-heating storage tank. Permeable paving in outdoor areas aids rainwater infiltration, contributing to aquifer replenishment and reducing flood risks. This combination makes sustainability almost invisible, seamlessly integrated into the architecture. The project meets the demands of both site and family, aiming for a durable construction with resilient materials and precise detailing to minimize maintenance and increase longevity. The House of 15 Windows is a living organism that translates light, space, materiality, and sustainability into a permanent, resilient, and engaging living experience. It dialogues with its present and future surroundings, enhancing them and seeking to leave them better for future generations, merging with the land and reflecting, in its windows, the memory of the place.
