The House in Brufe uses concrete, glass, and wood to open up to the outside and extend into the landscape.

In Brufe, Vila Nova de Famalicão, there is a house where concrete, wood, and glass blend into a "play of volumes," creating a home that extends into the landscape. "We had to design a courtyard house, or as I prefer to call it, a house with a courtyard," architect Avelino Oliveira begins explaining to P3. "A house that was essentially ground-level, connected to the land, that didn’t rise and fit naturally into the terrain," he adds.

Essentially, it’s as if the house transforms into two separate entities—each with a distinct function. The taller section, combining the kitchen and living room, forms the public area, while the lower part, with four bedrooms, an office, and a garage, represents the private zone. The courtyard, a "fundamental piece" of the project, serves as the connecting element between the two areas.

Additionally, the entire house was designed to open up to and close off from the outside. It’s a blend of interaction with the surroundings and privacy. The windows, sometimes exposed and sometimes hidden, let in different types of light depending on the time of day. But it is in the living room, opening onto the courtyard, where "the house transforms," he explains.

"I really enjoy controlling light. In all the buildings I design, I value the quality of interior and exterior light and how easily the house relates to its surroundings. It’s something I think works well here," he reveals.

The House in Brufe began construction in 2019 and was completed at the end of 2021. Photographer Ivo Tavares captured its proportions and contemporary lines. "Every house has a story. This is the story of a couple who had a child later in life, and the house is the realization of their family and happiness," says Avelino Oliveira.