Fonte Boa House is a minimalist rural idyll in central Portugal

This striking house by João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto, is carefully positioned on the western edge of the Fonte Boa estate, preserving the site’s topological features and maximising views of the Rabaçal valley

(Image credit: José Campos)

By Nicola Fox Hill

last updated 22 August 2022

in Features

Bound by the picturesque Jerumelo, Sicó and Espinhal mountains, the green Rabaçal valley in central Portugal easily evokes romantic notions of a rural idyll. It comes as no surprise that the striking new 180 sq m single family home by Coimbra based João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto, is taking full advantage of this remarkable setting.

Located on a small estate encompassing a vineyard and olive grove, Fonte Boa House is sensitively positioned on the western edge of the plot, its linear orientation maximising daylight and views, whilst carefully interacting with the gentle rolling topography.

The gleaming white rectangular volume, which draws on traditional Portuguese dwellings, with a playful pattern of picture frame windows and a streamlined zinc roof, is rooted to the sloping scrubland by concrete pad foundations. Flush with the gable walls, this subtle support system enables the house to preside over the estate with marginal intervention to the landscape.

Take an interactive tour of Fonte Boa house

The stark concrete retaining walls of the semi-sunken carpark are set in perfect alignment to the house, its elongated form providing an attenuated buffer from the main road. An external storage room is neatly incorporated next to a concrete stair that draws the eye towards the entrance.

A simple palette of white walls and timber floors is used throughout the bright interior, with key features of the internal layout determining the position of the abstract window openings. Not always for view, low level windows cleverly emphasise critical junctions, however the pièce de résistance is the living room glazed wall, seamlessly slotted into a deep reveal, framing dramatic views out over the valley.

The internal arrangement of each floor is organised in three parts. At ground level, a central stair and kitchen divide the dining and living space. At first floor, a bathroom, office and hallway divide two bedrooms, with the pitched ceiling giving the impression of an almost gallery like space.

Clutter, the enemy of minimalist design, is concealed with generously apportioned integrated furniture. The bedroom storage units align millimetre-perfect to adjacent door architraves, and the underside of the stair is filled with flush drawers and cabinets, allowing plenty of room to sit back with a glass of wine from the vineyard and appreciate the glorious setting.

The white rendered façade is evocative of the Portuguese region’s vernacular tradition of simple pitched forms and white washed walls, with a playful pattern of picture frame windows, carefully positioned to optimise the internal experience

Concrete pad foundations — The subtle support system of concrete pad foundations enables the house to preside over the estate with marginal intervention to the landscape

White walls — A simple palette of white walls and timber floors is used throughout the interior with sleek integrated furniture concealing clutter

Storage unit — The bedroom integrated storage unit is in perfect alignment with door architraves. It includes playful moving elements that reveal the abstract window openings and control the daylight

Minimal joint — Under stair storage with flush doors and minimal joints reduces the need for loose furniture in the living space

The frameless glass facade in the living room is the pièce de résistance, providing dramatic views out over the Fonte Boa estate

Glass lobby — A frameless glass lobby appended to the entrance, slots into the dining space and aids the transition from outside to inside

Concrete retaining walls — The stark concrete retaining walls of the semi-sunken carpark are set in perfect alignment to the house, its elongated form providing an attenuated buffer from the main road

A generous hallway at first floor divides the two bedrooms, with the pitched ceiling creating an interior reminiscent of an art gallery

Storage area — An external storage area is neatly incorporated into the carpark walls. The adjacent concrete stair draws the eye towards the entrance.

Fixed furniture — The meticulous attention paid to the design of fixed furniture is prevalent throughout the house, including the kitchen storage units positioned flush with the under stair storage

INFORMATION

Photography: José Campos

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