Dezeen Magazine

Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier

Casa Pátios de Pétalas is decorated with "flower petal" walls

Curved white walls define Casa Pátios de Pétalas, a house created by Portuguese studio Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier with an organic shape that was informed by flowers.

Located in the Gondomar neighbourhood in the east of Porto, the house was designed for a family with a young daughter.

Casa Patio de Petalas in Porto
Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier has completed a white house in Portugal

Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier's design aimed to create a home with an organic form inspired by the natural environment, using a limited material palette.

The two-storey house has a glazed lower storey with shading provided by timber slats, whilst the upper storey features fluid white rendered walls reminiscent of petals.

Portuguese house with curved white walls
It has curved white walls modelled on petals

"The flower petals embrace the entire upper floor," studio founder Sandra Casinha told Dezeen.

"To reinforce their presence, we limit the use to three materials: white [concrete], which draws the petals, aluminum and glass. Thus, the petals gain more expression."

Aerial view of patio at Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Patios are framed by the walls

Inside the home, the studio uses curved walls to create visual and physical links between the living spaces.

On entering the house, an open staircase with timber treads cuts through from the upper floor, defining the centre of the open-plan living space.

Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
The interiors of the house also take their cues from nature

The lower floor is divided with two sinuous curved walls that split the plan into thirds. A kitchen and dining room fill one third of the space, while the living room takes up the central portion of the plan.

Sliding glazed doors lead from the living space onto a curving timber deck that overlooks the garden.

The upper storey comprises three ensuite bedrooms, each with its own patio that provides a connection to the outdoors.

Externally, the forms of the patios are distinguished with a carving out of the white petal exterior walls, creating sweeping curves that can be used as seating.

Open-tread staircase by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
There is an open staircase with timber treads

The interiors of Casa Pátios de Pétalas also take their cues from nature, with earth tones and textiles defining the living and sleeping spaces.

By contrast, the curved walls of the ensuite bathrooms on the upper storey are clad in jewel-toned red tiles.

Pink bathroom
The bathrooms on the upper storey also have curved walls

"In the decoration, you can feel the palette of pastel and raw colours used," Casinha explained. "[We use] furniture that enhances the tranquility of the place, casual comfort, natural materials, [and] simplicity."

Other residential projects in Porto recently featured on Dezeen include a house with a screen for climbing plants by Anarchlab, and a home with a concrete staircase and curved lightwell by Tsou Arquitectos.

The photography is by Ivo Tavares Studio.

More images and plans

Ground floor plan of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Ground floor plan
First floor plan of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
First floor plan
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Exterior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier
Interior of Casa Pátios de Pétalas by Sandra Micaela Casinha Atelier