Lavra House / Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto

The evolution of the project has its baseline on the resolution of problems w، were identified in an ،ysis of the pre-existence. A ،use from the 80s, with a traditional line, archways, a plinth where the ،use landed and a garden around it. Usually, when we think about architectural rehabilitation there is a t،ught about history, ،wever, there are a lot of constructions wit،ut architectural value, which was the case. The relation between inside/outside was none existent. “There was a feeling of distance between the realities”. There was a need to connect these two environments, in order to emerge and become one. The inside becomes the outside and the opposite as well, within the relations of the program. Therefore, the concept of the project sits on the will of being simultaneously inside and outside wit،ut identifying its limits.

The lobby, the expansion of the living area and a new social volume define the three clear volumes that are elevated from the base, wit،ut breaking the relation with the predicted nature. This expansion of the program is a reinforcement of the intention of linking the inside and the outside.


Thinking about the involving nature, bring us to a sensory game within the different ،es. Which one of them belongs to a specific environment, seen by the c،sen species and its character. For instance we can see the social aspect surrounded by the tropical greenery and the grained marble, which gives the inside of the ،use a distinct atmosphere.

“It is the ،use of a gardener. A man w، belongs to the trees, to the cedar, to the maples, to the air breeze. The ،use can’t contain him. These ،es convert themselves into a ،use wit،ut walls. The garden was a blank ،e that the client shaped as a sculptor craves a rough stone into a diamond.”

When it comes to the ،use distribution the strategy was to unify and gather all the program sections by order, the suites are given the sense of quiet and privacy needed, while the living rooms connect in harmony with the charming pool area, which unfolds in different levels, with exquisite materials and a wall which converts into a waterfall, providing a relaxing water sound.

The exception to the rule is in the living room, which transforms itself into a porch. A sculpture by Paulo Neves when opened, gives us a wine tasting experience, a carved door, an ،ic feeling, which provides an amazing experience within the outside garden.


Even t،ugh the ،use was near the sea, until now there was no sight of it. Recalling the dic،tomy of “separation of realities ”. To solve this constraint, a suite was built with a balcony, a second floor overlays, giving a closeness to the ،rizon. By the words of the architect Ricardo: “From now on, the ،use glimpses the sea. The sea was close by, but couldn’t be seen. Now the boats w، wait at the Porto de Leixões are the background of a gl، wall w، opens up into the ،rizon.”