Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Vale da Lama
Zavial Studio

Vale da Lama - Contemporary and Mediterranean combined

Built to make the most of the surrounding landscape, this three-bedroom detached house was designed to strike a balance between privacy, comfort and openness to the outdoors. The building’s form, with its irregular trapezoidal layout, is characterised by a series of recesses and projections that create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, whilst framing views of the landscape and the sea horizon from the various rooms within the house.

photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio

Inspired by modernist and Mediterranean architecture, the design interprets these principles through clean lines, flat roofs and terracotta-coloured façades, giving the building a discreet presence that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The façade designs have been carefully crafted to control solar gain, provide protection from the prevailing northerly winds and enhance privacy, without compromising the visual and physical connection to the outdoor spaces.

photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio
photo_credit Zavial Studio
Zavial Studio

The layout of the house prioritises a contemporary lifestyle, with spacious and fluid areas. The living area is designed as an open-plan space, bringing together the living room, dining room and kitchen, and establishing a natural continuity with the terraces, the swimming pool, the outdoor kitchen and the gardens.

Sustainability was a guiding principle throughout all phases of the project. The large glazed areas, combined with shading solutions, cross-ventilation and passive climate control, make it possible to capitalise on the natural conditions of the Algarve’s climate to improve energy efficiency.

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