01 Valerio Olgiati

Villa Além . Alentejo

Valerio Olgiati . photos: © Archive Olgiati

This project is located in Alentejo about 10 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The area features a hilly, rural landscape and is covered with beautiful old cork oaks.

The climate is mild and dry. The primary intention here is to create a secluded garden. The surrounding walls are up to five and a half meters high to provide the necessary shade and the entire impression created is one of a desert, dry, stony and dusty. Everything is constructed from slightly reddish, in situ concrete.
The character of the complex is chiefly defined by the surrounding walls, which create the impression of petals that close and open towards the sky. The dwelling itself is invisible and develops across a single floor behind the surrounding walls.
The living room is located at the end of a strict axis leading from north to south. It overlooks the pool and offers a view through the southern door in the garden wall across a flat and empty landscape. A curved hallway allows the inhabitants to retreat into shadows and into the introverted private rooms.
Valerio Olgiati

Villa Além
Data
object: house
location: Alentejo, Portugal
architect: VALERIO OLGIATI, architect
collaborators: Patricia Da Silva (project manager office Olgiati),
Daisuke Kokufuda, Liviu Vasiu
general contractor: Matriz Sociedade de Construções Lda., Rua do Monte 151,
4470-794 Vila Nova de Telha, Maia
materials: in-situ concrete, steel, marble
begin planning: 2009
begin construction: January 2013
end construction: April 2014
copyrights plans: Archive Olgiati
copyrights photos: Archive Olgiati