Ceramic Garden Studio / Madeiguincho

Architects: Madeiguincho
Year: 2021
Photographs: Courtesy of Madeiguincho
Town: Estoril
Country: Portugal

The Ceramic Garden Studio, designed by Madeiguincho in Portugal, transforms what was once a parking space into a multifunctional workspace for a local craftswoman. Envisioned with the Scandinavian concept of “Hygge” in mind, the studio was designed to evoke comfort, warmth, and serenity. Its architectural features, from the flat and gable roofs to the materiality of spruce and birch wood, create a space that balances the artisan’s needs for ceramic, jewelry, and painting work. Key design decisions, including a circular window acting as an oculus and a polycarbonate translucent facade, emphasize the connection between the indoor environment and the surrounding landscape. The studio furniture follows a flexible design with free installation boxes and a circular table that mirrors the oculus, promoting fluidity and creative organization.

The project involved designing and constructing a ceramic studio for a Portuguese craftswoman, replacing two former parking spaces adjacent to her house. The artisan, who works in various fields such as ceramics, jewelry, and painting, required a multifunctional space that would support the diverse tasks of her work in an organized and fluid manner.

During the search for design references, the decision was made, in collaboration with the client, to anchor the project in the Scandinavian concept of “Hygge.” Although “Hygge” lacks a direct Portuguese translation, it embodies an intangible state of mind associated with serenity, shelter, comfort, and warmth. It conveys a sense of well-being and an appreciation for everyday tasks when carried out in the comfort of a space that feels like home.

The project explored how various architectural and interior design decisions—such as form, materiality, view systems, natural and artificial lighting, spatial organization and permeability, fixed and mobile furniture, the relationship with the exterior, and integration within the urban context—could be made to evoke the sensations associated with the “Hygge” concept. The goal was to ensure that these elements transmitted feelings of serenity, comfort, and warmth throughout the space.

The studio’s overall shape features a flat roof that continues the roofline of the house in the park adjacent to it. On the side facing the neighbor, a gable roof was chosen, evoking a sense of home while aiding in the collection of rainwater. This design also allows for views of the surrounding trees from inside, integrating them into the studio experience.

For materiality, spruce wood was selected for the visible structure, while birch plywood was used for the interior walls and furniture. The natural qualities of wood, including its varying tones, textures, and grain orientation, were carefully balanced to create the desired atmosphere. For the flooring, a fiber-cement material was chosen to introduce a more industrial aesthetic to the space.

The artisan’s house, where the studio would be attached, benefits from abundant natural light and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, emphasized by its large windows. In contrast, the studio design focuses inward, with a single circular window serving as an oculus. This element concentrates the relationship with the external landscape, including views of the sea and city, into one focal point.

The studio’s entrance facade features a translucent alveolar polycarbonate structure, allowing diffused light to create a warm and serene atmosphere inside. Internally, the facade incorporates a wooden structure inspired by traditional Portuguese anti-seismic designs, known as the “gaiola pombalina.” Externally, a hollow vertical slatted panel extends into the concrete facade of the existing building, resembling a parasitic structure that integrates into a unified system. This design ensures that, from the outside, there is no visible distinction between the original building and the new studio.

In terms of furniture, the studio was designed to accommodate a wide variety of objects, tools, and tasks. Free installation boxes were built to allow flexible space arrangements. The furniture structure itself was crafted with standardized and repetitive fittings, bringing order to the creative process and aligning with the rhythm of the studio’s architecture. A circular table, mirroring the shape and dimensions of the round window, serves as a central, disruptive element that promotes fluid circulation and connects the different elements within the space.