FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

Portugal-based Arquitectos Anónimos has designed the FFAT House located in Vila Nova Gaia, Portugal.

two criteria led to the final solution: on the one hand, by using the urban plan statutory regulations restricting the perimeter and the possible location of the building; and on the other hand by manipulation of the interior space in relation with the neighboring buildings.

Arquitectos Anónimos

+ Architectural concept courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The project came about after consideration given to the concept of a small house, and we have tried since the beginning to involve ‘reality’ as one of the decisive factors in this work. It indeed helped to reveal the project. In that sense, two criteria led to the final solution: on the one hand, by using the urban plan statutory regulations restricting the perimeter and the possible location of the building; and on the other hand by manipulation of the interior space in relation with the neighboring buildings.

FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The starting point in developing the building was the maximum volume allowed, which in the course of the design process has been manipulated in order to create the roof terrace that allows a view of the sea. The excessive proximity of the adjacent houses led to an architecture closed off to its neighbours. The dark waterproof plywood of the facade served as ‘spacesuit’ that protects against the ‘radiation’ of the reality, its context and its territory.

FFAT House, image courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

The interior is completely white, with distinct temperatures of colour. The two skylights bring permanent day-light to the house, even when the exterior ‘skin’ is entirely closed. The insertion of the skylights makes an improvement to the sunlight and ventilation while providing privacy to the interior life. At the same is a contrast to the accuracy of the ‘black box’ dimensions.

It is a way to face the challenge of building in such small allotments.

+ Project credits / data

Name of the project: FFAT House
City: Vila Nova Gaia – Portugal
Architects: Arquitectos Anónimos®
Client: Fernando Afonso and Fátima Cardoso.
Structural consultant: Paulo Lima and Manuel Branco Leite
Photos: © Abel Andrade

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Arquitectos Anónimos

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