Ilavo House by M2.senos_arquitetos in Portugal

Project: Ilavo House
Architects: M2.senos_arquitetos
Location: Ilavo, Portugal
Area: 5,909 sq ft
Year: 2021
Photography by: Ivo Tavares Studio

Ilavo House by M2.senos_arquitetos

You can still feel the old farmland around you, but this is still a very urban house.

The owners inherited the land from their grandparents and decided to build this house on it. A house with a first floor (or predominantly first floor), which meets the family's desires.

The plot, with a small depth, slowly extends along the street, almost disappearing behind the curve.

The challenge was to place the house on a demanding site, avoiding proximity to the street and neighbors. Such presence is not always easy to manage without giving up open spaces.

Therefore, the house relies on a neighboring attic on the western side and develops toward the eastern side, having a proper shape that occupies the land within the allowed maximum. The house's correct form blurs in line with the plot closure, gradually retreating to the street until the extension (almost at the end point), which gives it dynamism, enhanced by a two-story central section.

To compensate for the proximity to the street and neighbors, all internal spaces are set back from the facade to create more intimate and protected 'courtyards,' reflecting the ambiguous relationship between interior and exterior spaces, strengthened by the presence of blinds. Thus, compartmentalized ecosystems are created that erase any memories of life outside.

Here landscape design plays a fundamental role in creating natural, visually idyllic spaces with local and sustainable trees and shrubs that provide shelter, shade, even scents or aromatic herbs to enhance the taste of food during meals.

The internal organization is quite rational. At the back lies a garage with a cross connection, allowing access inside through the first section designated for service areas (laundry and technical zone). The entrance is centered in the house, protected from the street by a wall extension. Private room zones have full autonomy from public spaces. The living room and kitchen are connected, although they form independent spaces with different relationships to the outside world. On the upper floor are additional programs, a gym and office, which open onto balconies.

The interiors are modest and stand out for concrete ceilings and aluminum frames, but undoubtedly the Riga wood brings comfort and daily life details.

Externally, natural materials such as granite or wood in blinds are preferred, but it is the huge concrete slabs and the finish of all facades in cream asphalt paint that provide visual balance, a modest presence on the street.

- Project description and images provided by Ivo Tavares Studio