In the Castelo Branco region of Portugal, the House in Ribeira dos Moinhos, designed by João Cepeda Architect, emerges from a rugged, mountainous landscape beside a small stream.
In a landscape shaped by time and climate, a stream carves its path through the mountains. Here, massive blocks of local granite form a simple residence. This house, much like the stream, stands as a momentary alignment with the natural environment. Its design highlights the sense of shelter and a nod to the region's once prevalent thermal traditions.
The home consists of essential spaces: a private bedroom situated towards the rear, a large living area oriented eastward, and the bathroom spaces, all complemented by a rugged patio. The design presents a unified yet flexible space, characterized by its straightforward functionality and understated nature. The intention was not to adhere strictly to the notion of "form follows function," but to create a design that accommodates its use while allowing for occasional reinterpretation.
The relationship between design and functionality is nuanced and not always predictable. As Álvaro Siza points out, “Nature is Nature, architecture is geometry,” and as Umberto Eco observes, we strive to find forms that complement Nature, which ultimately prevails despite our interventions. Herberto Helder's insight that “space does not exist, it is a metaphor for time” resonates here—the house, crafted from enduring stone, becomes a testament to the passage of time, embedding itself into the landscape as a lasting fragment of life.
