Moradia em Albarquel by Humberto Conde Arquitectos, A Hillside Sanctuary of Light, Landscape, and Contemporary Elegance
Architecture Design of Moradia em Albarquel
Description About The Project
Explore Moradia em Albarquel by Humberto Conde Arquitectos, a refined hillside residence in Portugal defined by minimalist volumes, panoramic glazing, sustainable materials, and a seamless connection to nature. Featuring exclusive insights from the architect.
The Project “Moradia em Albarquel” Information:
- Project Name: Moradia em Albarquel
- Location: Estrada da Praia de Albarquel, Setúbal, Portugal
- Designed by: Humberto Conde Arquitectos
Moradia em Albarquel by Humberto Conde Arquitectos
Moradia em Albarquel is a contemporary single-family residence anchored on a steep hillside with sweeping views of rich vegetation and a serene body of water. Designed by Humberto Conde Arquitectos, the home is composed as a dialogue between architecture and landscape, where structure, light, and terrain converge to create a deeply tranquil living environment.
According to architect Humberto Conde, “Our aim was to design a house that rests lightly on the land while maintaining a profound visual and emotional connection to its surroundings.”
A Contemporary Composition Shaped by Topography
The architectural concept embraces the natural slope of the site, utilizing a partially suspended platform to create an uninterrupted visual plane that extends toward the horizon. The volumetric composition is defined by horizontal lines, overlapping slabs, and minimalist surfaces that project a sense of calm precision.
Large glazed openings play a central role in dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior. These transparent planes transform the landscape into a living backdrop, allowing daily life to unfold with nature as a constant companion.
As Humberto Conde explains, “The landscape is not an exterior element but an essential extension of the house. Every line, opening, and material choice was made to reinforce this symbiotic relationship.”
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Material Harmony and Subtle Integration into the Environment
The material palette was deliberately restrained to highlight the purity of the architectural form. Earth-toned pigmented plaster lends the façades a warm, grounded presence, while the suspended base clad in stacked natural stone enhances the home’s integration with the terrain. Outdoor terraces feature light-colored natural stone, creating visual continuity between indoor floors and the outdoor leisure spaces.
Wood, concrete, and stone work together to evoke a sense of timelessness. Their textures soften the modern geometry, ensuring the home feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in place.
“The materials were chosen for their honesty,” notes Conde. “They express permanence while allowing the architecture to remain understated, letting the landscape take the lead.”
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A Functional and Intuitive Layout Across Three Levels
The home is distributed across three thoughtfully organized floors shaped by the slope of the land. The semi-buried lower floor accommodates service areas, technical rooms, and storage, optimizing the terrain and maximizing usable space.
The middle floor forms the social heart of the home. Here, an open-plan configuration brings together the lliving room, dining space, and kitchen, all of which open directly onto the expansive terrace and swimming pool. This level is designed for fluid, panoramic living, shaped by light, views, and seamless transitions.
The upper floor, subtly recessed from the main volume, houses the private bedrooms. This volumetric setback enhances privacy while naturally shading the spaces below.
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Sustainability, Comfort, and Climatic Awareness
Environmental performance is intrinsic to the design. Solar orientation was carefully evaluated to ensure ideal shading in summer and optimal sunlight during the cooler months. Cross ventilation is achieved through the strategic placement of openings, while materials such as stone and concrete provide thermal stability that enhances energy efficiency year-round.
Existing vegetation was preserved and enhanced to assist in microclimatic cooling, reinforcing the home’s respectful relationship with its natural context.
As Conde reflects, “Sustainability is not an added feature; it is a foundational principle. The house breathes with the hillside, responding sensitively to climate and light.”
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A Refined Contemporary Home Rooted in Place
Moradia em Albarquel stands as an elegantly balanced example of contemporary Portuguese residential architecture. Through its minimalist volumes, honest materials, and seamless integration with the landscape, the home embodies serenity, functionality, and timeless sophistication. It is a residence that celebrates nature, prioritizes comfort, and expresses architecture as a quiet yet powerful presence.
The architect summarizes the project’s essence succinctly: “Moradia em Albarquel is a home that embraces its place. It is designed not merely to exist on the land, but to belong to it.”
Photo credit: Hra-Lisboa | Source: Humberto Conde Arquitectos
For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: Av. Fontes Pereira Melo, 35, 4J. Edifício AVIZ 1050-118 Lisboa – Portugal
– Tel: (+351) 21 3876169
– Email: humbertoconde.arq@humbertoconde.com
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