JOIA DA AZOIA - "Spirit of the Place"

At the top of the picturesque street “Rua do Beco”, in the Village of “Azóia”, the westernmost community in mainland Europe lays a house... Details Link: (Website hidden by Airbnb) Link: (Website hidden by Airbnb) Link: (Website hidden by Airbnb) Link: (Website hidden by Airbnb) Link: (Website hidden by Airbnb) Located in the Village of “Azóia” - “Sintra” - the westernmost community in mainland Europe. It is a privileged area, located between mountains and imposing cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where the magnificent Cape “Cabo da Roca” and his Light Hause arises. The area is described by the acclaimed poet “Luís Vaz de Camões” as “Where land ends and sea begins” and it was elected, by Peace Blossom, as “an inspirational place for Humanity to build a World in Peace and Harmony”. At the top of the picturesque street “Rua do Beco” lays the house. The Architect perceives Architecture as an evolution process, which as in nature, is interconnected in three main phases: Adaptation (immediate responses of the place); Transformation (reflection) and Crystallization (Creation). By this way it is intended a a consistent intervention, from which arises a harmonious place, not only with its context , but also with the intentions / claims of those who have created it. The harsh climate of the site and the proximity of the surrounding houses compelled opening the house towards the West. Beyond providing protection from the strong winds and rains from the North, this orientation granted privacy regarding surrounding houses. It provides as well a wonderful view of the picturesque street “Rua do Beco” and the Atlantic Ocean, whose amazing sunsets can be seen over a very clear horizon line. The limited area of the lot heightened the architect’s creativity as he was prized to create pleasant outdoor spaces on all floors, surprising and delighting those who enjoy this home today. The opening point of spans is revealed as you get to know the house. Upon entering, although no window can be seen, one feels the delightfully magic presence of indirect natural light flowing through the spaces. Occasional gashes and strategically placed skylights allow the light to sweep the walls, harmonizing the environment through gradients of light and shadow resulting from organic shapes of walls and their smooth finishes with no right angles, that invite you to come in. These openings ensure the visual connection with the exterior. They act as picture frames of a constantly changing sky. The architect considers light as a common source of pollution. It is not physical or visual pollution, but sensorial pollution, which calls for his additional responsiveness. Light in this house emerges in planters, niches, shelves, stairs, and is usually hidden behind rafters, cascading so evenly that they seem to heat the space. Glass is also widely used as physical, although not visual, separation and mirrors games enhance light reflections and seem to increase the amplitude of the spaces as an act of magic. Inspired by the nearby beaches, the architect devised the interior and exterior finish coating from the plaster in earth color. He uses the natural color of sand mixed with the, unusually used, white cement and lastly adds a bath of clear lacquer, which provides waterproofing and a smooth, satin feel to the house. The soft, light and warm color required was based on the reminiscent color of the original stone houses. It merges well with the other three elements as present in this place: the Sky, the Sea and the Fire. As the house was developed, so did the decor. The holistic concept the architect believes in also takes these mergers into account. Understanding what the spaces of the house are asking for was the last step to take before completion. Strategically placed objects belong where they are, conveying the spatial understanding developed from the beginning of the work. Ultimately, a new life redesigned and transformed to belong to this house as she returned to belong to the place. Through his holistic concept, the architect worked the disorganized energies, using them, assimilating them and organizing them to form a specific structure with identity, creating beauty, truth and value. The intervention sought to go further than building a home with nostalgic memories of the past, further than standard rash site assumptions. The aim was to understand the place through its intangible qualities, its myths, its legends, its policies and its humanity. The challenge for the architect was to infuse this intervention with the morphology of the place. Interior Area: 260 m2 (Website hidden by Airbnb) Enjoy your stay. Feel at Home!!! The whole house is ready for the guests. Privacy is guaranteed. I am always available for the guests, even not being in the house. Bar / Pub - "Moinho D. Quixote" (1 Km) (Website hidden by Airbnb) Restaurant - "Refugio da Roca" (50 m) (Website hidden by Airbnb) Coffe Shop - "Cafe Ocidente" (50 m) (Website hidden by Airbnb) Can park the car, for free, nearby the house - 50 m to 100 m, whit no costs at all. In case of a car like Seat Ibiza ou Golf, possible to park in the back of the house. Bus service each 30 min to Sintra (30 min), Cascais (20 min) or Cabo da Roca (5 min). From Sintra or Cascais you can take a train to Lisbon (town center in ca. 30 min trip) Serviço de autocarro de 30 em 30 min. direção Sintra (30min), Cascais (20 min) ou Cabo da Roca (5min).