historic ambience

CVDB arquitectos's house is located in a lot with 24 x 120 ft among the historical fabric of the city of Cartaxo, Portugal. The Architects have created a central patio and garden to allow light to go through all spaces of the house during the day. This central patio is an important element of the because this project explores the length of the site enabling its inhabitants to enjoy its different spaces. The house and garden are part of the same spatial entity in the way one may dwell in the house and enjoy both its exterior and interior spaces. The family main social areas are located on the ground floor which also have different headroom, thus emphasising the different ambiences of the house. The stair that connects both floors only has threads and therefore becomes a visual filter between the entrance and the living room and the garden. Large glazed elements acentuates the relation between the several interior spaces and the garden and the north facing courtyard that brings light to the kitchen and to a small office. The first floor is mainly a white entity gently sits above the ground floor. This floor accommodates the bedrooms and a rather more intimate living room with a play area for the children. The Architects made the smaller spaces of the house such as the kitchen and bathrooms in different texture and warm colours to counterpoint the bigger spaces with a more social character of the house.