Estúdio AMATAM has completed the House of Verdizela, a striking contemporary residence located in Corroios, Portugal, that masterfully reinterprets the traditional Mediterranean and Islamic courtyard house typology. The 284-square-meter dwelling, completed in 2023, represents a sophisticated architectural response to the clients' desire for a private, simple, and refined living environment that serves as a peaceful retreat from urban life.
Situated near Aroeira, where Atlantic breezes temper the surrounding pine forest and low-density development preserves the area's natural tranquility, the house emerges from a carefully considered design philosophy. The architects describe the project as arising from the clients' specific vision for a discreet dwelling that would not impose itself on the act of inhabiting, but instead nurture and support a calmer, slower rhythm of daily life.
The architectural concept takes form as a contemporary reinterpretation of the Mediterranean and Islamic courtyard house, creating an introverted ensemble of spaces that deliberately open inward rather than outward. This design strategy establishes a series of carefully articulated patios that serve multiple functions, regulating natural light, air circulation, and temperature control throughout the residence. The arrangement creates an intrinsic dialogue between interior and exterior spaces, achieved not through rigid architectural boundaries, but through subtle thresholds that blur the distinction between inside and outside.
The project represents a thoughtful response to the specific environmental conditions of its coastal Portuguese setting, where the Atlantic influence moderates the climate and the existing pine forest provides natural screening. The architects have capitalized on these site-specific advantages to create a residence that feels both rooted in its immediate context and connected to broader Mediterranean architectural traditions.
Photographed by Garces, the completed house demonstrates how contemporary architectural practice can successfully engage with historical precedents while addressing modern lifestyle requirements. The project involved collaboration with several specialized consultants, including J. Agostinho Silva Engenharia Lda for electrical installations and ITED systems, and Maurício Dias Engenharia Lda for thermal and acoustic stability of water and sewage systems.
The House of Verdizela stands as an exemplary model of how contemporary Portuguese architecture can honor traditional typologies while creating spaces that respond to contemporary needs for privacy, simplicity, and connection to nature. Through its careful interpretation of courtyard house principles, the project offers insights into sustainable design strategies that work with rather than against natural environmental conditions.
