A Museum Between Memory and New Identity

In Vila do Bispo, Portugal, Vila do Bispo Museum by spaceworkers is conceived as an intervention that preserves the identity of the place while giving the existing building a new civic role. The project works with the character of the original construction, not by erasing it, but by extending and clarifying its presence.

The design proposes the addition of a new volume to the existing structure, echoing the form of the adjacent naves. This gesture creates urban and formal continuity, while allowing the new addition to establish its own identity as the main entrance to the museum.

A Red Volume Completing the Existing Building

The new volume extends to the southern limit of the plot and accommodates the technical, administrative and social functions of the museum. By concentrating these uses in the addition, the project frees the inner core of the existing warehouses to receive the exhibition areas.

This redistribution of program allows the exhibition to become the central function of the intervention. The museum is therefore organized through a clear distinction between support spaces and public cultural space, while the new red volume gives the ensemble a recognizable presence.

 

 

Neutral Exterior, Black Interior

The two pre-existing naves, with approximately 680 sq.m. of covered area, are treated in a neutral grey tone. This chromatic strategy homogenizes the existing construction and reinforces its formal abstraction.

Inside, the same warehouse volume is lined in black, creating a controlled background for the exhibition. Against this dark interior, a dynamic organic form organizes the display route, creating thematic exhibition pockets and guiding visitors through the museum in a clear and intuitive way.

Red Exposed Concrete as Urban Marker

In contrast to the chromatic abstraction of the existing structure, the new volume is built in exposed concrete with red pigmentation. Its material presence turns it into a point of reference in the urban and aerial landscape, marking the territory with clarity.

The addition acts as a formal completion of the existing building. It recreates its geometry in a delicate way, through a balance of solids and voids that organizes entrances, areas of pause and the relationship with the surrounding landscape.

 

 

A Museum That Feels Already Familiar

The result is a museum that appears as if it has always belonged to the place. For older generations, it evokes the memory of the former granaries; for younger generations, it becomes the “red museum”, a new image in the collective memory of the community.

Through this balance between preservation and transformation, Vila do Bispo Museum establishes a dialogue between continuity and new identity. It is both a careful architectural intervention and a public landmark capable of anchoring itself in the everyday image of the town.

Citadel Within the City

Set within the Matosinhos Sul Urbanization Plan by Álvaro Siza, the former Brandão & Companhia canning factory occupies a privileged position near the coastline, retaining a strong connection to the industrial past and maritime identity of the area. The intervention reinterprets this legacy through a mixed-use development that consolidates healthcare, commercial, office, and residential functions within a unified architectural system, restoring the original envelope and chimney while introducing a contemporary layer.

 

Urban Integration

The proposal addresses the fragmentation of the existing structure by re-establishing continuity within the urban fabric. While the original volumetry occupied almost the entire plot, the project introduces permeable and green voids that allow natural light and circulation to penetrate the block. These interstitial spaces generate visual and physical connections between programs, enhancing accessibility to upper levels and fostering interaction within a dense, multifunctional urban environment. The ground floor accommodates commercial and service functions, offices are positioned on the first level, and residential units are organized in elevated volumes.

 

 

Programmatic Organization

At the entrance to the residential areas, a reception space opens onto a patio that operates as the central node of circulation, linking communal zones and distributing movement across the complex. The spatial hierarchy is structured to balance privacy and collectivity, ensuring fluid transitions between different uses. The distribution of the building mass into distinct volumes creates a dynamic composition that responds both to the scale of the plot and to the surrounding urban context.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural language is articulated through a juxtaposition of materials with varying densities, notably pigmented concrete and aluminum stretched mesh. This contrast reflects the dialogue between past and present, emphasizing both the solidity of the existing structure and the lightness of the newly inserted volumes. Suspended above the courtyard, these elements introduce a sense of elevation and permeability, with a material palette inspired by the proximity to the sea. The intervention ultimately establishes a balanced relationship with adjacent buildings and the public realm, contributing to the revitalization of the block and supporting a broader strategy of sustainable urban development.

 

Inhabited shadow

Located next to the Sotogrande golf course, this house was designed to dwell inside the shadow, in-between the ground plane and the flat roof that hovers above. This generous cantilever not only provides shelter from the intense sun of Cadiz but also offers protection against the heavy rainfall arriving from the nearby Grazalema mountain range, the region with the highest precipitation in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Design Philosophy

The design establishes four distinct architectural boundaries that define the spatial experience of the house. Below, the ground plane receives the imprint of the shadow. Above, the roof slab is designed with a water surface, functioning both as an aesthetic and a bioclimatic element. Peripherally, a continuous floor-to-ceiling glass façade allows for efficient climate control within the interior while maintaining unobstructed views and seamless movement towards the landscape. Finally, the inner core features a wooden volume that ensures the necessary privacy for the rooms while introducing warmth throughout the space.

 

 

Functional Layout

Access to the house is from the upper street, a strategic point that offers a privileged view of the landscape and the water surface on the roof -an unexpected feature that provides thermal and acoustic insulation. The water layer absorbs heat during the day and gradually releases it at night, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

The roof and ground planes are subtly displaced to create a covered entrance leading to the main access, parallel to an infinity pool that extends towards the golf course. Internally, the program is organized around a central circulation core, which also incorporates skylights that bring natural light into the central spaces and guide movement towards the rooftop water surface.

 

 

Materials & Furniture

One of the primary design requirements was the use of materials that compose a warm color palette. As a result, the entire ground surface -both indoors and outdoors is clad in large-format off-white ceramic slabs, harmonizing with the wooden finishes of the core and the free-standing walls that define different interior areas. The furniture is dominated by natural wood and textured white fabrics, while linear warm white lighting highlights the overall composition.

Throughout the day, sunlight washes across textured surfaces and natural materials, accentuating depth and shadow while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior spaces. During the evening, a carefully composed artificial lighting scheme takes over through discreet, indirect fixtures integrated into ceilings, walls and architectural details. Warm, low-intensity lighting highlights key spatial elements and circulation paths while maintaining a soft ambient glow that preserves the serene character of the residence, allowing the architecture and material palette to remain the focal point of the spatial experience.

The design aims to minimize the building’s footprint on the environment, creating a living experience within the shaded zone defined between the two primary planes. Through a simple architectural gesture, the house orchestrates an experience with a strong identity and a timeless character.

 

Sinuous structure

The winery is part of a family-run wine tourism development in Portugal’s Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Together with a hotel still under construction, the winery blends into the landscape, combining tradition with innovation and sustainability.

 

Context Integration

Designed to minimize environmental impact, the project utilizes existing infrastructure while anticipating future adaptations. Its curvilinear architecture echoes the zigzag vineyards without compromising functionality. Locally sourced materials such as schist and granite reduce transport emissions, while wooden structures replace concrete where possible, limiting CO2 release. Over time, the pinkish greys, greens and browns take on new hues and textures, potentiating the building’s integration into the environment.

The configuration of the building is a set of interlocking naves that follow the existing topographic slopes, replicated on its internal mechanics, where the winemaking process takes place by gravity. The gravitational system is a traditional solution on the banks of the River Douro and this wine cellar showcases it with all its up to-date operational capabilities.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The geometry of the cellar’s roof interprets the vernacular gable roof structured in wood. This structure is exposed in the winery, and becomes a sinuous, continuous and organic sculptural element that flows through the tangential curves of the vineyards.

The winery’s main entrance houses a visitor center with a reception area and a wine shop that leads up to a meeting room with an all-glass wall and to the wine tasting area in a spacious balconied gallery, overlooking both the wine ageing area in the central nave of the building and the surrounding landscape. These rooms have access to the vineyard and a stone little old chapel, via a large terrace overlooking the Douro. Events that favor a prestigious wine tourism may be hosted to promote the winery and the region and celebrate both nature and architecture.

 

 

Sustainable Design & Vegetation

The development uses renewable energy sources, namely geothermal energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide ideal hydrothermal conditions for wine production and human comfort. Energy efficiency is fundamental to the winery’s design. The building’s northerly orientation and its specific insulation ensure optimum indoor temperatures and humidity levels, with limited mechanical climate control. The few windows and skylights frame the landscape and maximize the use of natural light.

Water conservation is also integral to the winery, which lacked public water supply infrastructure. Rainwater is harvested, drinking water sourced from artesian boreholes, and wastewater is treated and recycled for irrigation, cleaning, and fire prevention. Permeable pathways return rainwater to agricultural use, reducing waste and preserving resources.

The landscape design revives native flora, enriching biodiversity and supporting ecosystems that benefit vineyard health and promote economic activities that run parallel to the wine production.

 

Emphasis on biodiversity

Surrounded by the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Forest on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, this landscape design accompanies the creation of a new seaside retreat overlooking the Angra dos Reis archipelago. Set within a 7,000m2site, the project preserves an almost untouched environment of towering trees, native tropical flora, and striking rock formations.

 

Design Philosophy

As an integral part of the architectural ensemble, the landscape design embraces a naturalistic approach. Its aim is to emulate the spontaneity of native vegetation, foster biodiversity, and evoke the ecosystems characteristic of the Atlantic Forest -as if the plantings had always existed in place. Guided by a Japanese philosophy of immersion, the design follows five principles (the “5 I’s”): it should be inexplicable, needing no rational justification; imperfect, finding beauty in asymmetry and irregularity; intuitive, shaped by sensitivity rather than logic; intriguing, inviting curiosity; and unpredictable, reflecting the organic, ever-changing nature of life.

 

 

Landscape Design

These ideas take form in two distinct areas. The first, at the base of the mountain, is introspective and immersed in dense forest. The second is open and sunlit, situated in a clearing that encourages social interaction and contemplation of the ocean and islands on the horizon.

Arrival is possible either by sea, at a private pier that extends over calm waters, or by land, via a winding mountain road that leads to the upper entrance. At this highest point, a lush garden greets visitors and sets the tone for what follows. Notable species include Calathea lutea (Maranta charuto), Philodendron undulatum (Filodendro-ondulado), Chamaedorea erumpens (Palmeira-bambu), and Maranta burle-marxii.

The architecture, slightly elevated above the ground, is softened by groupings of Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Guaimbê), which conceal the stone walls and create the impression that the house emerges directly from the landscape. Vegetation also serves as a natural filter between the veranda and the lawn, while large rocks maintain the site’s original character.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A careful interplay of heights, volumes, and textures ensures a fluid transition from the shrub layer to the forest canopy. The sinuous pool, designed to follow the natural contours of the land, acts as a visual mediator between the built environment and its surroundings. From the clearing, stone pathways guide residents through a sequence of experiences -alternating between open, sunlit clearings and shaded passages beneath dense foliage.

Near the pool, a large native tree provides shade to a comfortable outdoor lounge, while on the upper level, the hallway connecting the bedrooms opens toward the rear of the property, revealing the varied topography and biodiversity. From the balconies, which face the ocean, the garden unfolds below as a living extension of the forested landscape.

 

White house

The residence is located on a beautiful Brazilian beach, along the northern coast of São Paulo. Its design prioritizes environmental comfort and long-term durability -two critical considerations when building in tropical, coastal environments where high temperatures and salty sea air create challenging conditions. These factors shaped both the layout of the floor plan and the choice of materials.

 

Functional Layout

On the ground floor, the social area occupies the northern section of the house, combining the living and dining spaces. This area seamlessly connects to a semi-outdoor space featuring additional seating and dining areas, a patio with a Jacuzzi and sunbeds, and a swimming pool on the eastern side. The kitchen and service areas are located on the southern side, adjacent to one of the two side gardens. The upper floor accommodates five bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and closet. The master suite includes a spacious bathroom, ample storage, and an adjacent family sitting area.

 

Custom Structures

The rooftop terrace is designed as a garden deck, accessible via a minimalist staircase and protected by a hatch door. All interior spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows -or sliding glass walls- that create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, providing a comfortable thermal experience. In the ground floor living room, large 3m x 2.5m glass doors slide into the walls, merging the interior with the balcony and facilitating cross ventilation to reduce room temperatures naturally.

 

 

Material Palette

Wooden perforated doors inspired by traditional “muxarabi” screens shade the interiors while allowing natural ventilation. Similarly, perforated and folding mesh metal brises envelop the upper volume, providing shade and privacy. The combination of wood, concrete, and white aluminum -chosen for its resistance to the corrosive sea air- imbues the house with a tropical minimalism influenced by Brazilian modernist architecture.

 

White curves

The project takes advantage of its diagonal views toward a lake on the La Moraleja golf course in Madrid. Given the size of the site, the design proposes a residence that develops primarily on a single floor.

 

Spatial Organization

The daytime living areas are arranged in two volumes of varying heights, offset from one another, creating a sheltered terrace that faces the landscape and is oriented southeast. The main volume reaches a height of nearly one and a half stories. A third volume houses the nighttime areas, strategically positioned to offer a private outdoor space of its own. The interplay of the three volumes forms an entrance courtyard, oriented to the north, which adds a distinctive character to the entry experience. The geometry of the design serves a structural function, allowing for unobstructed views of the landscape without the need for supports. This flexibility ensures that the spaces can adapt to future uses and occupants.

On the lower level, the home features spaces dedicated to physical well-being, including a swimming pool, gym, and other complementary areas, all illuminated by a skylight. Each volume is defined by rounded edges, adding a dynamic visual quality. These curved elements are incorporated into the open terrace areas, facilitating construction while ensuring that all interiors remain orthogonal.

 

 

Material Palette & Lighting

The project’s material palette utilizes a wide spectrum of whites with warm undertones. These range from Colmenar’s natural stone to the ash wood found in Madrid’s forests, as well as various shades of brass close to RAL 9016 and lighting temperatures around 2,700K. The goal was to achieve an integrated heterogeneity that would promote a sense of calm within the home’s spaces.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Inspired by Andreu Alfaro’s work, the main section of the house becomes a continuous journey, where the swimming pool flows into the terrace, which then integrates with the facades of the built volumes, ultimately closing the loop back to the pool. This design highlights one of the residence’s key functions: to be appreciated not only as a space to inhabit but as a structure to be observed and experienced.

 

Solid walls

Rooted in the principles of Northern Gulf architecture, the project embodies privacy and discretion. Encased within towering, thick walls, the residence is shielded from the harsh climate and arid surroundings, while enclosing a tranquil and inviting interior.

 

Functional Layout

The dwelling unfolds on the ground floor, structured around a series of patios within a rectangular walled enclave. Thoughtfully integrated glazed facades in the main social areas and patios enhance the home’s traditional composition. Each courtyard serves a distinct purpose -welcoming guests, offering repose, or hosting celebrations- creating a diverse spatial experience.

 

 

Design Philosophy

At the heart of the home, a central green “oasis” separates the service areas from the private and social spaces. The interior features generously proportioned rooms that open onto oval-shaped patios and intimate green gardens, all interconnected by winding, non-linear pathways that unify the dwelling. A rhythmic interplay of depth and shadow emerges as an axial corridor traverses successive gardens and patios, guiding movement from the main entrance to the private family quarters.

 

 

Context Integration

Facing the sea, the residence embraces panoramic views of the Gulf, framing the vast seascape with a semi-covered paved terrace that engages in a dialogue with the sand dunes and coastal vegetation. The house extends seamlessly to a private beach, where its principal social space fosters a direct connection with nature.

At the heart of the “oasis,” a striking cylindrical tower rises -a symbolic seacoast lighthouse. This vertical sanctuary offers a secluded space for solitude and meditation, culminating in a rooftop that transforms into a contemplative promenade. From this elevated vantage point, residents can immerse themselves in sweeping views of lush gardens, undulating dunes, and the boundless sea.

 

Horizontal gatherings

Located in Sharq, Kuwait, this project represents the idea of a multifunctional canopy, that simultaneously acts as an urban installation for the heart of the city center.

 

Building Program

The mixed-use building stands as a new landmark and a prominent place for gathering, hosting several communal events throughout the day, while at the same time, acting as a drive-in restaurant and outdoor esplanade. The roof is a playful contemplation area that features a playground and dining area with breathtaking views of the city, through series of carefully curated architectural elements such as stands and slides. In parallel, the space is also used as an outdoor theatre or cinema. Finally, the first floor includes an indoor restaurant and all the service areas.

 

 

Construction Philosophy

The most prominent element is a red spiral staircase that connects the three floors as well as all interior and exterior spaces. The construction philosophy is based on using raw, natural materials combined with intricate assembly techniques in order to create spaces as well as furniture that are both functional as well as optimally constructed.

Material Palette

The canopy-façade is made of a metallic mesh painted white, while the roof, floors and interior ceilings are painted in red, thus creating a horizontal contrast. In parallel, glossy ceramic tiles are used to clad specific parts of the interior walls. Finally, an array of strategically placed openings offers cross ventilation, natural light and accessibility to the overall space.

 

Folding structures

Inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula have a long-standing tradition of travelling to seaside or desert destinations during the holidays and setting up temporary infrastructures for leisure and relaxation.

 

Roof Structure

The projects aim is to conceptually create a sense of “gathering” in a five-holiday-house-complex, by designing a lightweight and discrete shelter structure. An elegant, “folded” roof made of white concrete becomes the most characteristic element of the design, while providing protection from the sun and wind. Additionally, the roof is perforated in certain parts, allowing sunlight into the interior spaces, while a series of rectangular cuts offer stunning views of the sky.

 

 

Exterior Design

The exterior ground floor includes communal spaces for social gatherings, featuring a lounge and dining area as well as a pool surrounded by ample vegetation, reminiscent of a calm and peaceful and oasis. The outdoor gardens meet in two communal, double height shaded spaces that visually connect the residence’s interior with the beach, and at the same time, further accentuate the main façade.

 

 

Accessibility & Privacy

The interior spaces are oriented towards the central “green oasis,” creating a seamless connection with the surrounding context through a series of expansive openings. This design maximizes openness and transparency, offering unobstructed views towards the beach. In contrast, the sections of the residence that are adjacent to the street are predominantly solid, ensuring a high level of privacy. By striking this balance, the design not only fosters a tranquil and open living environment – characterized as both a desert camp and a beach house – but also provides a sanctuary from the bustling street, enhancing both comfort and seclusion.