Portuguese architecture firm Extrastudio has completed Casa Plaj, an innovative 120-square-meter holiday residence that appears to hover above the coastal landscape of Portugal. The distinctive home responds to regional architectural traditions while employing a radically simple form that creates the illusion of floating above the ground through its elevated design.
Located in the sloping terrain of Lourinhã, a rural area approximately one hour north of Lisbon, the retreat sits in a region known for its fruit orchards and proximity to popular surf towns Ericeira and Peniche. The house is centered around a cruciform podium supported by four load-bearing walls, creating an elevated base that touches the ground at only one point to allow entry. From this central structure, terraces project in all directions, extending the interior living spaces into private outdoor areas and enhancing the impression that the home floats above the surrounding landscape.
Within the compact floor plan, the Lisbon-based architects organized the kitchen, dining, and living areas as a generous central space that opens symmetrically to three sides, while bedrooms are positioned facing south toward the ocean to maximize views. The design includes a void carved into the solid volume that forms an open-air courtyard entrance, concealed behind a sliding gate for privacy.
To overcome the limitations of the restricted footprint, Extrastudio exploited height and natural light throughout the design. A large skylight makes the living room feel significantly larger than its actual dimensions, while a series of precisely positioned circular openings channel daylight deep into the interior spaces. During four months each year, beams of sunlight trace across every room before sunset, reaching their most dramatic intensity during the solstices, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow.
The project benefited from close collaboration between Extrastudio, the clients, and builders during construction, which allowed for unexpected design interventions that enhanced the final result. These spontaneous additions included leaving grey plastered walls bare for texture, adding niches and porthole windows, replacing a planned steel door with red glass, and selecting stone finishes that resonate with the muted color palette. The house's initially planned grey exterior gradually acquired additional colors during the building process, reflecting the hands and decisions of everyone involved in the construction.
The surrounding landscape was treated with careful restraint to preserve the site's natural character. Wild pine trees frame a long swimming pool that runs parallel to the coastline, creating a connection between the built environment and the sea beyond. Fruit trees were planted in a grid formation on the slopes to maintain the agricultural character of the site, honoring the region's farming heritage.
From inside the residence, windows slide completely into the walls, allowing daily life to extend seamlessly outdoors as the horizon opens in all directions. This design feature creates a fluid transition between interior and exterior spaces, maximizing the connection to the coastal environment. After completion, the clients invited the architects from Extrastudio to experience the finished house firsthand, where the carefully crafted architecture gave way to the natural sounds from a nearby creek, successfully grounding the modern project in the authentic atmosphere of the Portuguese coast.
