丨葡萄牙丨Sal Arquitetos

Architects:Sal Arquitetos

Area:175m²

Year:2025

Photographs:Pedro Machado Photographer

Manufacturers:Danko Caixilharia

Lead Architect:Rui Sabino de Sousa

Category:Residential Architecture,Houses

Project Team:Isabel Franco, Gonçalo Claro, Tiago Ventura

City:São Roque

Country:Portugal

Text description provided by the architects. The House MU is located in the parish of São Roque, municipality of Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, Azores, integrating into a growing urban-residential context marked by proximity to the sea and the strong presence of the island's characteristic natural landscape. The land where it is situated is in a consolidated residential area, benefiting simultaneously from a direct relationship with the urban fabric and the sea.

The House MU seeks to meet the needs of contemporary housing, combining comfort, functionality, and integration with the place. The layout results from adapting to the existing site boundaries, respecting the location, and enhancing the view with the landscape. The project is based on the idea of volumetric simplicity, prioritizing integration with the surrounding environment and creating fluid spaces between the interior and exterior. The design is characterized by clean lines and horizontal volumes, reinforcing the relationship with the land and the landscape.

The interior layout is organized across two distinct floors. The ground floor features the social area, consisting of a support room, living room, dining room, and open-plan kitchen, which connect with the exterior, enhancing the direct relationship with the gardens, leisure area, and outdoor pool.

The upper floor is dedicated to the private area, ensuring greater privacy and tranquility. It consists of 2 bedrooms, properly oriented to enjoy natural light and privileged views, and a sanitary installation exclusively for the private area of the house. This clear separation between social living and private living ensures comfort, privacy, and functionality in the daily life of the residence. This project takes into account principles of sustainability and energy efficiency, promoting the use of natural lighting and ventilation through the orientation of the spaces and the integration of the proposed patios.

The structure of the building is constructed with reinforced concrete, ensuring robustness and durability. The roof is flat, with a waterproofing and thermal insulation system to guarantee energy efficiency and interior comfort. The exterior walls are finished with painted plaster in the color of red almagre. The red almagre color gives identity and character to the project, establishing a cultural connection with memory while providing a harmonious integration with the surrounding natural and rural landscape. The intensity of the red almagre enhances the architectural volume, highlighting it with its striking presence while maintaining a continuity relationship with the earthy tones present in the location where it is inserted.

In summary, the House MU constitutes a contemporary response to the housing demands in the region, combining aesthetics, comfort, and functionality with respect for the urban and natural context of São Roque.

Project gallery