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House 77 by dIONISO LAB

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Portuguese studio dIONISO LAB have completed a house in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, with a façade comprising aluminium shutters perforated with symbols. 

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The concertinaed metal shutters sit in front of full-height windows, creating a balcony area between the two façades and providing privacy when required.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Symbols relevant to the local area, a fishing town, puncture the metal screens.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The interior is divided into split levels and opens onto a little garden at the rear.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Photographs are by Fernando Guerra.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Here's some more information from the architects:


HOUSE 77

Póvoa de Varzim is a city profoundly related to the sea and fishing.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Its great cultural richness became an interesting stimulus to the project.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

In fact, the house was an opportunity to revitalize some of the city's memories and to participate in the panoply of colours and materials that characterise the street.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The house is simple... it is organized in a vertical and hierarchical way.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The social areas are on the inferior floors and the private areas on the superior levels.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

To achieve great visual amplitudes and dynamic interconnections between spaces, the interior was structured in half floors.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The width of the plot decided the stair. In fact, it became the heart of the house.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

A wall painted with Blue Klein emphasizes its importance and continuity through the spaces.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The west facade is covered by aluminum venetian blinds that not only defend the interior from the insulation but also open the house to a small garden.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

At east, the house gets its identity.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

The intimacy is guaranteed by stainless steel panels, perforated with the "siglas poveiras".

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

These symbols are a proto-writing system once used as a way of communication and to mark personal and fishing belongings.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Also, they were hereditary and constituted an important family legacy that was transmitted by inheritance through generations, evolving with new combinations.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

In this way, the house, in the very centre of "Bairro Norte", shares some of the city's memories and references with the population and revitalizes a legacy that has been progressively forgotten and abandoned.

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

Quietly, the house confesses its pride in the city...

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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Architect: José Cadilhe
Project Team: José Cadilhe, Emanuel Fontoura (Final Design)

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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Location: Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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Project Year: 2008/ 2009
Construction Period: 2009/ 2010

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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Contractor: Consarte Lda. (www.consarte.pt)
Constructed Area: 232 m2

House 77 by dIONISO LAB

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See also:

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