Casa um - Algarve, Portugal

Casa Um

Traditional Portuguese architecture with views of the Algarve coast: Casa Um will become your home away from home the moment you step inside. White walls encircled by olive, carob and almond trees exude an atmosphere of tranquillity and fit perfectly to the undulating slopes of the Algarve mountain range.

“The original upper part of the house is built in traditional style, which is evident from the characteristic chimney and the rooftop terrace framed by an undulating roof cornice. The upper part is where we placed all common spaces including the kitchen, the living room and the dining room, which all have a direct link to the outdoor relaxation area,” describes Casa Um’s lay-out the architectural team from Atelier RUA.

“The private spaces – the bedrooms – were built into the new building, which is found underneath the terrace. This has allowed us to keep the site’s unique views and to draw attention to the original part of the building,” add the architects.

The interiors reflect the surrounding landscape. A white palette with soft brown and earthy tones carries throughout the entire space, the subtle colour scheme matched only with quality materials and singular furniture pieces. The living room with a fireplace is home to an organically shaped sofa that contrasts the delicate form of TON’s No. 30 armchair, which has been selected to complement the strong lines of the dining table.

The Portuguese studio Atelier RUA works on different types of architecture, including residential projects, commercial buildings and public spaces. Atelier RUA was founded in 2006 by four graduates of Lisbon’s Lusíada University.