The dwelling is built upon a former construction, transforming the previously existing house and its annexes into two volumes anchored around a courtyard, where olive trees play a prominent role. The courtyard, which the architect describes as an "outside seating area", seeks to relate to the surrounding landscape and the site.
The two different volumes preserves the footprint of the previous construction, maintaining a southern orientation. One of the volumes presents an irregular geometry, with a large, open space and irregular concrete roofing; the other features an regular, simple geometry, referencing vernacular architecture of the region: a low, white volume with a flat roof. Both are connected by a glass hallway, which allows for the surrounding outdoors to invade the interiors.
Architects: Vitor Vilhena Arquitectura
Location: Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Area: 400 square metres
Building costs: 1,3 million euros
Completion: 2012
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