Architect Filipe Saraiva’s Family Home In Ourém

The Ourém residence is inspired by the classic image of a house as drawn by a child, with balanced proportions and a simple gable roof. Saraiva has stretched this form across the main volume, which is finished with a wooden pergola area at the front of the property. The exterior is encased in black concrete, which “The project consists of a house of me, for me and my family” presents a “smooth integration in harmony with the landscape.” Within the home, a distinct contrast to this palette can be found in the form of white painted walls, punctuated by a dark wood kitchen island and a curated assortment of black furnishings. The interior offers an open plan layout, and a double height kitchen and dining area is overlooked by an upstairs office, creating a character of versatility in the home as a base for work and play. Regarding this multipurpose approach to the architecture of his home, Saraiva explains: “The project consists of a house of me, for me and my family and intends to meet our functional needs, but also to satisfy a range of architectural requirements that are part of my formal and spatial imaginary, resulting from my individual and family experience.”