![House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-1.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-24.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-71.jpg)
Symbols relevant to the local area, a fishing town, puncture the metal screens.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-6.jpg)
The interior is divided into split levels and opens onto a little garden at the rear.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-221.jpg)
Photographs are by Fernando Guerra.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-3.jpg)
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![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-81.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-12.jpg)
Its great cultural richness became an interesting stimulus to the project.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-10.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-14.jpg)
The house is simple... it is organized in a vertical and hierarchical way.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-13.jpg)
The social areas are on the inferior floors and the private areas on the superior levels.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-23.jpg)
To achieve great visual amplitudes and dynamic interconnections between spaces, the interior was structured in half floors.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-17.jpg)
The width of the plot decided the stair. In fact, it became the heart of the house.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-18.jpg)
A wall painted with Blue Klein emphasizes its importance and continuity through the spaces.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-11.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-26.jpg)
At east, the house gets its identity.
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-201.jpg)
The intimacy is guaranteed by stainless steel panels, perforated with the "siglas poveiras".
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-271.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-30.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-211.jpg)
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 House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-5.jpg)
Quietly, the house confesses its pride in the city...
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-31.gif)
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Architect: José Cadilhe
Project Team: José Cadilhe, Emanuel Fontoura (Final Design)
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-32.gif)
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Location: Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-33.gif)
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Project Year: 2008/ 2009
Construction Period: 2009/ 2010
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-34.gif)
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Contractor: Consarte Lda. (www.consarte.pt)
Constructed Area: 232 m2
![House 77 by dIONISO LAB House 77 by dIONISO LAB](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/03/dzn_House-77-by-dIONISO-LAB-35.gif)
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See also:
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