Implemented in a slender lot from north to south, the recently completed Xieira House by A2+ Arquitectos was born as a dwelling within a single floor. Inspired by Portuguese region in which it is implemented — Leiria, a dry region densely populated by pine tree forests in the centre of Portugal — the project uses traditional pine formwork to give shape to concrete, in the surrounding and load-bearing walls of the house.

The dwelling's typology was defined according to solar exposure, which is abundant in this Mediterranean country. All bedrooms face east; the living room faces south; the kitchen, west; and the garage, north. The simplicity of the project is expressed by curved volumes, creating a courtyard entry that implies pedestrian access to the house's main entrance.

The Xieira House resulted from a constant confrontation between modern, minimalist, fragile, and traditional, raw, lush. In this way, apparently contrasting elements were linked and combined, such as the rough treatment of the concrete with curvilinear and plain shapes, the black color in the concrete with the traditional white plaster, massive scale volumes and thin sun protecting flaps or long glazed windows.

As a result of this exercise, A2+ Arquitectos have created a distinct project with a quiet, discreetly bold presence which successfully combines modern and vernacular.