Architects: Jorge Mealha Arquitecto
Area: 207 m²
Year: 2003
Photography: Courtesy of Jorge Mealha Arquitecto
City: Miranda Do Corvo
Country: Portugal
House in Tróia, designed by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto, spans 207 m² and is characterized by a series of blank solids that interact with light and shadow, crafting a dynamic visual experience. Completed in 2003, the design employs scale, openings, and skylights to manipulate natural light, while the interaction of solids and voids shapes the house’s distinct spatial identity.
The nearly blank solids on the surrounding ground create a dialectical tension, with the use of scale and sharp edges accentuating the play between light and shadow. This design approach offers an ever-changing experience throughout the day, as the interplay of light transforms the perception of the space.
The mass’s outline and voids articulate solids and wall-enclosed patios, forming a rhythmic sequence that organizes a fluid program. Openings, either limited in size or positioned in the spaces between solids, carefully frame selected views.
Scale, openings, and skylights function as tools for capturing and redirecting light, both diffused and direct, which illuminates the interior surfaces throughout the day.
Within the inner perimeter, the horizontal and vertical interplay of solids, voids, and outlines define the spatial identity of the house.
Plastered blank shutters, matching the exterior wall finish, when closed, contribute to the appearance of nearly blank solids, emphasizing a clear reading of the form.
Some ambiguities in the perception and definition of the relationships between containing and contained elements engage the observer’s ability and interest in decoding the design of space and form.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Tróia, Miranda do Corvo, Portugal
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
