Architects: ATELIERDACOSTA
Area: 320 m² (3,445 ft²)
Year: 2021
Photography: Tiago Casanova
Lead Architects: Hugo Barros, Pedro Matos
Construction: Silfermat
City: Póvoa de Varzim
Country: Portugal
Rates House, a residential project designed by Tiago Casanova in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal adapts to a unique plot with significant elevation differences. The design integrates existing schist stone volumes and introduces a concrete structure to create a cohesive living space. The project blends preservation and modern design elements, inspired by the Cordoba Mosque and Cathedral, and features four distinct patios oriented towards street and field views.
![Architecture Studio - Atelier Da Costa Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_2-1.jpg)
The plot, long yet wide, faces the street on the low level and a large field on the high level. This height difference creates distinct zones, almost forming two separate worlds within the same plot. The existing schist house features a Romanesque church capital on its facade, leading to an initial debate with local authorities about its preservation due to the house’s ruinous state and plans to more than double its size.
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 1 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_1.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 2 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_3.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 3 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-3-proposal-cave-and-groundfloor-4.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 4 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_8.jpg)
From the two pre-existing schist stone volumes, the one facing the street was designated for rooms, while the other was left as an exterior patio. The proposal aims to belt and consolidate the existing structures by building a new concrete “coffer” inside and around them, creating a transition from the well-consolidated street to the isolated northern fields. This preservation strategy is inspired by the lasting example of the Cordoba Mosque and Cathedral, with necessary adaptations.
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 5 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_4.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 6 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_16.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 7 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_14.jpg)
The concrete walls and slabs are designed to fit the existing houses and establish a new organizing axis defining the entrance space and technical area for storage and car porches. Within these constraints, the design creates a system of four demure patios, some open to the outside landscapes. Two patios belong to the street quadrant, and the other two to the fields.
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 8 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_5.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 9 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-4-section-1-5.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 10 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_2.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 11 4 5 section 2 6](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-5-section-2-6.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 12 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_11.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 13 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_6.jpg)
Despite the absence of a specific client request, which is usually central to the design process, there was an almost unanimous agreement throughout the project. The main discussion and negotiation focused on the combination of ceramics.
![Architecture Studio - Atelier Da Costa Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_13.jpg)
The project successfully blends the existing schist structures with new concrete elements, creating a harmonious transition between the street and the fields while preserving historical features and providing modern living spaces.
Project Gallery
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 14 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_19-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 15 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_18-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 16 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_17-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 17 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_16-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 18 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_15-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 19 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_14-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 20 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_13-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 21 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_12-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 22 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_11-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 23 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_10-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 24 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_9-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 25 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_8-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 26 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_7-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 27 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_6-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 28 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_5-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 29 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_4-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 30 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_3-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 31 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_3-1-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 32 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_2-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 33 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_2-1-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 34 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_1-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 35 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/casa-rates-atelierdacosta_1-1-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 36 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-6-axon-1-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 37 4 5 section 2 6](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-5-section-2-6-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 38 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-4-section-1-5-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 39 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-3-proposal-cave-and-groundfloor-4-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 40 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-2-existing-cave-and-groundfloor-3-500x500.jpg)
![Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA 41 Rates House / ATELIERDACOSTA](https://www.architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4-1-location-plan-2-500x500.jpg)
Project Location
Address: Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.