JD2 Housing | Rui Rosmaninho | Ilio, Portugal

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Modern white multi-level house with elegant architecture, glass balconies and large windows located against a blue sky. Features include clean lines, open terraces and minimalist design, perfect for luxurious architectural design

Minimalist Coastal Retreat on the Aveiro Coast

Located near the picturesque mouth of the Aveiro River in Ilio, JD2 Housing by Rui Rosmaninho is an exquisite example of contemporary Portuguese architecture — balancing minimalism, material honesty, and emotional warmth. Designed as a modern beach house, the project embodies the essence of coastal living through thoughtful use of natural light, durable materials, and understated elegance.

This home is more than just a weekend retreat; it's a dwelling designed for modern lifestyle — where design flawlessly blends functionality, aesthetic precision, and ocean connection.

Design Concept and Integration with the Landscape

The design of JD2 Housing directly responds to the site's solar exposure and proximity to the sea. Linear volumes are carefully oriented to frame views of the river mouth while maximizing natural light throughout the day. Each facade is crafted to express balance and rhythm, combining openness with privacy in a way that reflects both the landscape and lifestyle.

The minimalist architectural form allows materials to take center stage: concrete, corten steel and ceramic define the building's character. These materials were chosen for their low maintenance, resistance to the marine climate, and ability to age beautifully over time.

Modern Interpretation of Traditions

While JD2 Housing embodies a contemporary aesthetic, it also respectfully engages with the region's architectural heritage. Vertical ceramic bands, adorning the façade, reinterpret the colorful wooden strips of traditional palheiro houses — iconic fishing homes from nearby Costa Nova.

These bands adopt a modern ceramic expression, bridging past and present through texture and rhythm. The extensive use of ceramic materials reflects both regional identity and the owner's personal connection to the ceramics industry, creating a project that is simultaneously modern and deeply rooted in place.

Interior Design and Color Palette

Inside, the design continues the architectural dialogue between minimalism and warmth. A calm palette of white, beige and light wood defines the interior, enhanced by tactile richness of rough-hewn elements reminiscent of nature and craftsmanship.

Large glass openings blur the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, allowing natural light to envelop ceramic, wood and concrete surfaces. The consistent repetition of external materials within the interiors ensures visual harmony and continuity.

Each space was designed with custom furniture solutions, combining architectural precision with functionality. Built-in elements — tailored to individual dimensions — optimize every square meter, making the home suitable for both personal solitude and family gatherings.

The Beauty of Ceramic

One of the most striking aspects of JD2 Housing is its extensive and innovative use of ceramic finishes. Floors and wall cladding utilize ceramic tiles mimicking wallpaper textures, giving interiors a sense of tactile comfort.

In bedrooms and bathrooms, variations in white ceramic — each with a unique shape and installation — add gentle dynamism to otherwise minimalist compositions. This approach transforms ceramic from a cold, utilitarian material into a warm and expressive architectural statement.

Harmonious Collaboration

JD2 Housing is the result of close collaboration between architecture and interior design, demonstrating how a unified vision can elevate a project from structure to sanctuary. The outcome is a calm modern retreat — a place that celebrates Portuguese craftsmanship, coastal light and the timeless beauty of simple materials.

With JD2 Housing, Rui Rosmaninho offers a home that captures the soul of modern Portugal: minimalist yet heartfelt, efficient yet human. By combining sustainable materials with precise design and contextual awareness, the architect has created a coastal sanctuary that serves as both a personal declaration and a regional tribute.

This is not just a beach house — it's an architectural reflection on light, texture and a sense of belonging.

Photos © Ivo Tavares JD2 Housing | Rui Rosmaninho | Ilio, Portugal