The Untitled House

Primitive Innovation

A raw, muscular structure where concrete beams crisscross solidly overhead, this dense home still manages to feel breezy and minimal, even a little bit seafaring, with light flowing through pivoting and sliding doors and a submarine-styled round window cut into its rose-toned façade.

Designed by architects João Quintela and Tim Simon of Atelier JQTS, and owned by innovative designer Sara Neves and her artist husband Pedro Batista, the house delivers an impactful first impression. Its one-of-a-kind roof slab was created from reinforced concrete, and its interior is characterized by raw, ribbed ceilings cut through with roof lighting to flood the spare, primitive spaces with abundant coastal sunlight.

A grid of concrete poured into raw pine forms, the home’s architectural progression is unique. The massive roof and ceiling volumes were built first, held up by nine elemental concrete pillars around the building’s perimeter. The solid columns serve as both structural necessities and interior design details, becoming decorative elements once the massive volume was enclosed. These raw, textural pillars holding the roof are offset inside by smooth white walls and pivoting glass doors and windows. A tenth concrete pillar stands solidly at the heart of the residence marking the home’s entrance and creating the division between its common living and intimate bedroom spaces. A water collection system is integrated into the top-heavy roof construction, and roof lights create optimal natural light sources overhead.

The structure is softened by a light gloss on its concrete floors and the application of knotty pine creating the residence’s doors, jambs, and built in cabinetry accents. Outside, the bold, boxy structure has been finished with pigmented, red-hued lime, smoothly applied to balance the raw concrete roof. The red pigmentation changes tones with variations in the natural sunlight, turning shades of dusty pink depending on the time and weather.

In spite of its imposing design, this is a comfortable family home and one with great heart, filled with striking design pieces and personal art. Hence its name. The house is "Untitled" because that's what Pedro names all of his works of art. Find out more in our Q&A with Sarah Neves here.

AROUND

This vacation home rental in Portugal stands low slung and rectilinear under a canopy of sweeping coastal pines in Cascais, a coastal community about 30 minutes west of Lisbon. The town is best known for its wide stretches of sand, and its harbor and waterfront promenade flanked by polished seafront manors and boutiques. A popular seaside resort since it was handpicked as the king’s family’s playground in the late 1800s, Cascais features a busy marina, castle ruins, multiple museums, historical homes, pavilions, and hotels, and the Santa Marta Lighthouse. Its well-heeled, retro coastal community ambiance has led the city to be featured in films, most notably in James Bond movies. Sailing events occur regularly in the city’s marina, and the town hosts tennis and golf pros and motorcycle and car racing events, the latter at the nearby Estoril race track. Casinos are a part of the city’s nightlife, and additional daytime activities include biking, jogging and hiking coastal parklands, as well as visiting the ancient town of Sintra.

LOCATION

Cascais, Cascais, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May to September