LuxMare Houses by Mário Martins Atelier, A Harmonious Dialogue Between Ocean Light and Architecture in Algarve, Portugal
Architecture Design of LuxMare Houses
Description About The Project
LuxMare Houses by Mário Martins Atelier merge Nordic elegance with southern simplicity, framing the Algarve coastline in sculptural, light-filled forms.
The Project “LuxMare Houses” Information:
- Project Name: LuxMare Houses
- Location: Lagos, Portugal
- Project Year: 2019
- Designed by: Mário Martins Atelier
A Tale of Two Houses, Told Through Light and Form
Perched on the cliffs of the Algarve coastline, LuxMare Houses by Mário Martins Atelier are a poetic response to their exceptional location. Translating to “light of the sea”, the name Lux Mare is both a reference and a reverence—to the oceanic horizon, to sunlight dancing off the water, and to the architectural philosophy of clarity and harmony.
“We envisioned two volumes that would converse with the site rather than dominate it,” explains architect Mário Martins. “The light here is extraordinary, and our goal was to let that light tell the story.”
Designed as a pair of sculptural yet grounded dwellings—Casa Lux and Casa Mare—the project reinterprets the idea of duality. While each house has its own spatial logic and relationship with the land, they are inextricably linked through subtle geometry and shared material language.
SEE MORE: Alhena House in Luz, Portugal by Mário Martins Atelier, A Contemporary Gem on the Algarve Coast
Architecture Rooted in Landscape
The site’s prior conditions—a dilapidated structure and unfinished construction—offered a blank slate. The solution: two new volumes, softly curved, positioned like two distinct yet complementary bodies along the slope. Casa Mare nestles closer to the sea, immersed in the garden, while Casa Lux, slightly elevated, commands broader views.
“Each house responds to the terrain in its own way,” says Martins. “Casa Mare disappears into the green, and Casa Lux opens up to the sky.”
The restrained footprint, coupled with the horizontal glazed openings, maximizes immersion in the surrounding elements—coastal cliffs, native vegetation, and the endless sea. From inside, the transition between architecture and nature is imperceptible.
SEE MORE: Paradise Valley by Whipple Russell Architects, A Sculpted Hillside Estate in Scottsdale, Arizona
Sculptural Simplicity and Nordic Elegance
The design aesthetic is a tribute to modernist ideals and Nordic refinement, inspired by the client’s Scandinavian heritage. Soft voids—such as the curving, wave-like cut-out in Casa Lux—reference the forms of Alvar Aalto and embrace tactile elements like wood alongside minimalist white plaster.
“There’s a delicacy in Scandinavian design that we wanted to incorporate, without compromising the rugged spirit of the Algarve,” says Mário Martins. “This house is about balance—between North and South, between light and shade.”
Timeless materials such as white stucco, natural timber, and subtle metal detailing further articulate the homes’ tranquil personalities. Their sculptural forms never distract; instead, they enhance the emotive power of the site.
SEE MORE: Carrara House in Algarve, Portugal by Mário Martins Atelier, A Monolithic Ode to Light and Landscape
Between Origins and Destinations
LuxMare Houses are not only architectural expressions—they are destinations in themselves. Yet they speak of roots, of origins, and of shared memory. The duality—of the couple who owns the homes, of the site’s past and its renewed life—adds richness to the design.
“We like to say this is a love story written in architecture,” shares Martins. “Each house is complete on its own, but together, they form something far greater.”
From the softness of their lines to the openness of their glass façades, Casa Mare and Casa Lux offer a retreat not just into nature, but into reflection and serenity.
Responsible Luxury in Design
Beyond their poetic form, these houses embody sustainability and restraint. Their integration into the landscape minimizes environmental impact, while the choice of long-lasting materials reflects a commitment to longevity.
“Responsible architecture doesn’t mean less beauty—it means more intention,” Martins emphasizes. “We designed with purpose, not just aesthetics.”
Whether experienced as a resident or a visitor, LuxMare Houses leave a lasting impression—of quiet elegance, spatial clarity, and a profound connection to place.
Photo credit: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG | Source: Mário Martins Atelier
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: R. Francisco Xavier Ataíde de Oliveira Lote 31, 8600-775 Lagos, Portugal
– Tel: +351 282 768 095
– Email: geral@mariomartins.com
More Projects in Portugal here:
- Alhena House in Luz, Portugal by Mário Martins Atelier, A Contemporary Gem on the Algarve Coast
- Carrara House in Algarve, Portugal by Mário Martins Atelier, A Monolithic Ode to Light and Landscape
- Elliptical House in Lagos, Portugal by Mário Martins Atelier Merges Sculptural Form with Landscape Harmony
- Casa J.M.C. by Atelier d’Arquitectura Lopes da Costa, A Harmonious Integration with the Landscape
- RiscoWhite House by Risco Singular Arquitectura Lda, A Minimalist Concrete Home in Barcelinhos, Portugal
