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Sambade House in Penafiel, a long concrete volume with a glazed upper floor resting on a lower concrete base

Sambade House

A raw concrete volume shaped by the rural landscape, designed to settle into the terrain and age with it.

Penafiel, Portugal · 2011–2014
EN PT
Typology Residence
Size 1 177m2
Location Penafiel
Status Built
Project ID 11CSP
Sambade House, Penafiel: distant view of the low horizontal house stretched across the lawn between mature trees
Sambade House, Penafiel: large trees on a sloping lawn, with the concrete volume and its framed opening in the background

Shaped by the land

The site is defined by a sequence of terraces, mature trees and existing stone walls. This landscape becomes the starting point for a pure rectangular volume, carefully positioned to preserve the quiet character of the rural setting while opening towards the green landscape.

Sambade House, Penafiel: thin horizontal line of the house seen across the field, a single tree in front of the glazing

Becoming one more terrace

The volumetric purity sought for the house allows it to become part of the existing topography. Resting directly on the ground, the raw concrete volume reads as another terrace within the balanced composition of the terrain.

Sambade House, Penafiel: opening carved into the concrete wall framing a glazed entrance and a small planted courtyardSambade House, Penafiel: living room with an armchair and sofas along a full-height glass wall open to the garden

Opening towards the landscape

The main floor brings together the bedrooms and living spaces. A large opening carved into the long north-facing concrete wall marks the entrance, while the opposite side opens the interior towards the surrounding landscape, allowing it to become part of everyday life.

Dusk view of Sambade House in Penafiel with its lit glazed floor above the lower level and parked cars

Extending the existing terrain

The lower floor accommodates the secondary functions of the house and acts as a contemporary interpretation of the rural walls already present on the site. Its concrete façade conceals these spaces, reinforcing the prominence and purity of the volume above.

Sambade House, Penafiel: small concrete volume with a rust-coloured door, seen through trees across the grassSambade House, Penafiel: covered walkway along the glass facade under the concrete overhang, with the landscape beside it

Designed to age with time

Materiality follows the same intention of belonging. Rather than introducing delicate or reflective finishes, the house relies on raw materials that can weather naturally, allowing the architecture to gradually become an integral part of its rural surroundings.

spaceworkers

The house becomes another terrace in the landscape, resting on the ground and ageing with the place.

Rooted in the landscape

Sambade House, Penafiel: deck and pool edge beside the concrete frame of the house, with trees and valley beyond
Sambade House, Penafiel: white shelving lining a long corridor next to a glass wall, with a figure walking past
Sambade House, Penafiel: sun shining through trees on a grassy slope, the long low house visible at the foot of the hill
Sambade House, Penafiel: concrete wall of the lower floor in the garden among old trees, with stepping stones in the grass
Sambade House, Penafiel: dining table framed by the concrete ceiling and floor of the covered terrace, open to the garden
Sambade House, Penafiel: living area with a suspended black fireplace, white sofas and a long wooden sideboard
Sambade House, Penafiel: concrete overhang above the entrance, with a tall rust-coloured pivot door and the garden beyond
Sambade House: pool deck with white loungers, trees and the rolling landscape of Penafiel in the distance
Sambade House, Penafiel: long concrete wall with a deep carved opening and a person standing at the entrance
Sambade House, Penafiel: covered terrace beside a sliding glass wall, the living room inside and the garden outside
Sambade House, Penafiel: small courtyard with planting and gravel seen beneath the concrete roof slab
Sambade House, Penafiel: long pool leading to the lit concrete volume of the house at dusk, with loungers along its edge

Full Credits

Client

  • Private

Principal Architects

  • Henrique Marques
  • Rui Dinis

Architects

  • Sérgio Rocha
  • Rui Rodrigues
  • Rui Miguel
  • Vasco Giesta
  • Pedro Silva

Finance Director

  • Carla Duarte

Photography

  • FG+SG®

Recognition

Awards

  • Architizer: A+Awards 2015 Winner
  • Archdaily: Building of the Year 2015 Winners

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