Sobreda – Almada

The proposed lot has a rectangular shape, with a frontage of approximately 14 meters along the public road and a depth of 21 meters.

This is a semi-detached house, which requires the residence to be positioned with a blank wall along one side of the lot, orienting the interior spaces toward the remaining three sides.

Unlike most surrounding homes, the on-site parking is located at ground level in an open area with direct access to the public road. This setup avoids creating significant level differences within the lot and allows the exterior area to remain free from vehicle traffic. Instead, most of the lot’s surroundings, with a level height matching the road, are optimized as usable exterior space. The residence maintains a consistent two-story height throughout its perimeter.

The level difference between the walls of this lot and the adjacent one will always be less than 2.25 meters. The only exception is a small air well located in the passage between the east and west sides of the lot. This feature is designed to provide natural light and ventilation to the basement spaces and offers a discreet outdoor area for drying clothes, without visibility from outside the lot. This light shaft is also integrated with a rainwater collection and reuse system, which contributes to reducing the amount of water needed to maintain the surrounding green areas.

In a hierarchy between the space oriented toward the public road and the private space, the main living areas are oriented to the south and west, enhancing visual contact with the interior of the lot rather than with the public road. For this reason, the staircase connecting the floors is positioned mainly along the eastern frontage.

To the south, windows are recessed and distanced from the neighboring residence, shaded by thick overhangs and planters that strengthen the building’s connection to its green surroundings and limit views into the interior.

On the western side, the residence blends into the landscaped outdoor space through large glass openings that visually connect interior and exterior spaces. The ground floor includes a covered area as a porch at garden level, while the first floor features a narrow balcony with a planter.