The Perfect Combination
Valhauss
Client
Location
Category
Visuals
Furniture
Private
Porto, Portugal
Housing
Utopic
Sancal, Santa&Cole & Masiero
Valhauss:
Project report
A house can be understood as an intermediary between the exterior and the interior, a protective shell that encloses an habitable space with the ability to regulate how its inhabitants interact with the outside world. When designed with a site-specific approach, architecture intentionally opens and closes itself to its surroundings, shaping the desired living experience.
– Porto, Portugal.
The design of a space based on the concept of The Sanctuary seeks to create a refuge where peace and introspection become central elements. It is a space that inspires calm and reconnection, a place removed from the noise and distractions of daily life. Every detail in its architecture and layout is oriented toward generating an atmosphere of tranquility and protection—ideal for meditation, rest, and personal care.
The structure of this space is conceived to establish an intimate connection with nature. Large windows allow natural light to flood the interiors, integrating the outdoors as an essential part of the experience. The selected materials—stone, wood, and natural finishes—reinforce a sense of harmony with the environment. These elements, beyond their sustainability, contribute to a feeling of warmth and serenity in every corner.
To respond to the search for a serene health retreat, Valhauss is conceived as an isolation mechanism—one that disregards its immediate perimeter while opening itself to views of the mountains and a contemplative green courtyard. This courtyard is transversally connected in a single open space—a radical way of understanding the house as a place for constant connection between its inhabitants.
The structure seeks to integrate seamlessly with its surroundings by using the natural slope to blend the building into the landscape without altering the existing topography. The flat roof, resembling a protective shell, adheres to strict height requirements, forging a fluid connection between the ginterior and exterior while reinforcing a profound sense of seclusion.
The uniqueness and cultural value of its surroundings are essential in shaping the architectural vision for this area. To build here is to respect the land, honor the region, and establish a mimetic dialogue with its magnificent landscape.
The house emerges subtly from the landscape, and forest, its low profile blending with the natural slope and the hints of light guide you to its entrance.
The interplay of raw stone and warm wood invites visitors inward, while the expansive roofline reinforces the idea of shelter and seclusion.
To the right, the high-end gym pavilion stands as a luminous beacon, its glass façade outlined by a continuous LED light that accentuates its minimal but powerful geometry.
La necesidad de un
espacio que nutre el
alma y reconecta
con la naturaleza
The necessity of a
space that nurtures
the soul and reconnects
with nature
