Perched atop a hill in southern Portugal, this contemporary home balances the characteristics of a wood cabin with cave-like qualities.
FDP House is monolithic, embracing a distinctive exposed concrete palette and grounding itself in the landscape in Alentejo, Grândola. Argentinian architects GB Arquitectos were presented with a brief centred around creating an indoor atmosphere reminiscent of the early days of housing, such as caves. As such, using exposed concrete was one of the owner’s main prerequisites, leading GB Arquitectos to manipulate this preselected material in specific ways to achieve a harmonious and well-rounded interior palette.
Pine wood from Kebony was used for the joinery, wall cladding and various other interior features.
The tonal living area features the Flos Luminator floor lamp.
For FDP House, leaning into natural colours was integral in achieving the home’s overall feel. Aiming to blend the contemporary home into its rural surroundings, GB Arquitectos note that they opted to use materials that would blend but also offer a degree of durability required in the harsh climate of Alentejo. The multicoloured slate stone with grey and brown pigments guided the material selection.
As a result, the concrete’s colour was adjusted from the standard light grey finish to a darker, deeper tone. To match some of the browns found in the landscape, GB Arquitectos applied a special treatment over the selected pine wood to seal the timber and allow it to be used internally and externally. Over time, the designers hope the timber will achieve a silver-grey patina when exposed to the elements, allowing it to blend with the concrete used throughout the building.
Secil coloured concrete is used both internally and externally, achieving a cave-like feeling.
The entry of the home is celebrated through a small private patio sitting next to a large mature holm-oak tree. GB Arquitectos describe this moment as a hinge and a balance point for the whole project.” Beyond the entryway, a five-metre-long cantilevered concrete canopy extends out over the hilltop, housing a 170-square-metre living area that acts as the heart of the home.
Wings are located off long corridors, with the kitchen at the centre of all these wings. The kitchen unravels onto a wide terrace designed to encourage family gatherings.
Nestling the large contemporary home among a series of natural features in the landscape, the house is heavily informed by the location of numerous trees on site—almost as if the home was carved around these trees. Various windows are also placed strategically across the residence to create a visual connection with the much-treasured holm-oak trees, further enhancing the home’s connection to the land on which it sits.
Pink-coloured handmade tiles and Flos Mini Glo ball wall lights in the bathroom.
Full-height windows with black frames allow for uninterrupted views of the landscape.
A three-metre-tall pivoting door at the home’s entrance features a large concrete canopy.
Over time, the pine wood cladding externally will acquire a silver-grey patina when exposed to the elements, allowing it to blend with the concrete used throughout the building.
