Les Terrasses de Comporta, a complex of buildings designed by Aires Mateus, stands on top of the soft hills at the edge of the Comporta town, which is famous for its rice fields cultivated since 1925.
They shape and color the landscape in accordance with the seasons. Whether they are green, yellow, or a mirror-like pool of water, they radiate a sense of rhythm and magic in this area. The first thing that greets guests at the destination is the garden - shaped by human hands, but not in the traditional manner. In front of their eyes, dense bushes unveil carefully crafted plans for greenery. Preparing residents for the upcoming breathtaking view of densely woven treetops and rolling hills extending to the coast. The ocean is only 12 kilometers away. It is impossible to ask for a better view.
Les Terrasses de Comporta is a very complex project. Besides the main house, there are three guest houses. Designed in harmony with each other, positioned on a steep hill with a communication structure between them, and with communal facilities like a swimming pool and terrace. The design of every volume follows a coherent set of principles. They are simple concrete blocks with double-pitched roofs, each with a front and back patio enclosed within a bamboo canopy. In the middle of the plan is a bedroom paired with a bathroom.
The main building, which is primarily composed of communal areas (kitchen and dining) as well as a master bedroom and bathroom, is very similar in construction but more diversified due to its greater number of functions and scale. Architects wanted to ensure that the guests will be provided with the perfect views of the pristine surroundings. As a result, the exact openings in the front and back facades serve as massive concrete frames that offer perhaps the most incomprehensible views - dense treetops waving in the wind, city lights at night, and roads leading to the ocean. As a result of their precise orientation towards the sun, the first rays of light are welcomed on the back patios and when it sets, it gently drips pink light onto the front façade.
Concrete formwork is used to construct the exterior of each building. This technique enables all walls to have a wooden cladding texture that provides a natural pattern and rhythm to the facades. Over time, the wood flooring of the patios, along with the wooden furniture, aged gracefully. Their presence enriches the dominant monochromatic palette.
Les Terrasses de Comporta is available for rent in nice2stay, the agency with the finest selection of contemporary holiday homes.
