Situated in Portugal’s Douro River valley, this 60-square-meter vacation retreat demonstrates how compact living spaces can achieve meaningful dialogue with their surroundings while maintaining rigorous environmental standards. MJARC Arquitectos opted for elevating the wooden dwelling on wooden stilts in order to preserve both the existing topography and ecological systems below. This fundamental design choice reflects a deeper understanding of sustainable practice that extends beyond material selection to encompass holistic site relationships. The roof design incorporates strategic openings to accommodate mature trees rather than removing them, as well.
Materiality plays a central role in the project’s success, with certified timber used throughout for structure and cladding. This decision creates visual continuity with the surrounding pine forest and minimizes carbon emissions associated with construction.
Image Credit: Sérgio Garcês Marques
