The pozzolan house project originates from a pre-existing structure: a basement built according to the guidelines of a previous project. Integrated into the current project, it retained its initial function as a garage, but required the addition of an interior vertical access to connect this level with the rest of the house.

 

It is through the ground floor that the main access to the dwelling is processed, and where its social program is organized. A large living room, a lounge, an eating room and a kitchen make up the interior spaces at this level, also supported by a bathroom. The yard at the back and the patio at the front provide proper ventilation and lighting.  The living room has double-height ceilings, creating a connection between this floor and the second floor.

 

The first floor contains two suites with private bathrooms. The layout at this level is partial, featuring three balconies that extend the interior spaces. The rear veranda is shaded by a wooden structure due to its south-facing orientation. The two northern verandas establish connections with each other, the entrance, and the patio below.

 

Due to the northern orientation of the house, and the fact that this is its only frontage, the project opted to create north and south partitions on the first floor, allowing the control of the incidence of light and its permeability in the interior spaces, as well as shading spaces that allow the cooling of the air before it enters the interior. The elevation of the main façade wall allows light to be reflected towards the inside of the dwelling, without overheating the interior spaces. The use of pozzolan, in masonry blocks or in its natural stone state, between the porticoed concrete structure significantly reduces the internal temperature.

 

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Location. Porto Novo, Santo Antão

Date. 2017

Architecture. Ângelo Lopes

Renders. Gilardi Reis

Phase. Under construction