Cool Portuguese Courtyard House with Various Blending and Balance

This cool courtyard house was designed by Portuguese architects Sara Oliveira and Marco Guarda of A2 + Arquitectos and located in Leiria, Portugal. Thoughtfully blending dark and light, raw and refined, earthy and contemporary, modern and traditional, the architects show that balance is indeed a thing of beauty, when done right.

Tucked on a narrow lot facing to the north and south, this 3,770 sq. ft., single storey house was designed to maximize privacy and sunlight – which just happens to be this location’s claim to fame. The black shale facade features curving walls that provide the privacy part of this equation, blocking the home from public view without compromising its access to natural daylight. The home’s elaborate shape twists with protruding and receding volumes, thus creating a private courtyard entry that leads into minimalist living.

Floor to ceiling windows and elongated skylights artfully illuminate every corner of this wonderfully winding floor plan. All principal rooms face to the east and the living room looks south, resulting in sun soaked interiors that capture the essence of this geographic hotspot.

Cool Portuguese Courtyard House with Various Blending and Balance