Tsou Arquitectos designed the residence as part of the valley, the vegetation extends over the roofs of the house and, on the lower level, after crossing the access corridor and the entrance hall, the house opens onto the terrace, which acts as a panoramic viewpoint that transforms the views into one of the protagonists of the project.
The construction solutions chosen by the studio follow the idea of coexistence with the landscape and sustainability. The reused stone patio is surrounded by the cork panels of the external cladding of the walls. In order to preserve the interior comfort, mechanical ventilation systems have been used, which together with the mechanically protected glazing and the natural roofs keep the temperature stable throughout the seasons.
"Casa da Levada" by Tsou Arquitectos. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.
"Casa da Levada" by Tsou Arquitectos. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.
Project description by Tsou Arquitectos
Integration
Located in a village in Paredes, with river Tâmega as a backdrop, Casa da Levada blends into the rural landscape where it is situated, featuring a design that integrates architecture with the surrounding nature. An architecture that evokes the idea of a built natural environment, an architecture that arises from the very material of which the site is made. The shape of the house is molded by the terrain, creating a visual and physical continuity between the building and the natural environment.
Functionality
The pedestrian path to the house appears as a paved groove over the green surface of the land. A tectonic fault separates the volumes of the house dedicated to social spaces and private spaces, leading to the central courtyard. The house develops around the courtyard, embracing it. It creates an outdoor space for gathering, where horizontal overhangs frame the surrounding landscape.
Comfort
For climate control of the building, a water radiant floor system was adopted using a heat pump for heating and cooling the interior. The ceramic flooring contributes to a faster and more efficient transfer of radiation. A Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) system with a heat exchanger was also installed to ensure air renewal without significant losses of interior temperature. The glazing was carefully placed, with exterior mechanical protection in the form of solar shading or blinds, to optimize thermal solar gains in winter and minimize the impact of heat in summer.
Sustainability
The technical and construction choices follow the idea of integrating the house into the landscape, improving energy efficiency and the durability of the building alongside a commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability. Examples of this include the use of cork panels as the exterior cladding of the house, a landscaped roof (continuing with the terrain), and the stone patio constructed with the integration of stone from the ruins, whose stereotomy design was based on the reuse of the granite stones.
