Surrounded by the rugged natural landscape of Alentejo with views out to the Atlantic Ocean, Pa.te.os sees four architecturally designed houses by acclaimed Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus near the Portuguese village of Melides. Pa.te.os intends to, as the name suggests, explore the concept of the patio, where nature is embedded within the inhabitable space of a house. Bare concrete, natural wood (European oak), and stone were used to help create a feeling of authenticity.
However, much of the magic is related to how the project relates to the land and allows guests to interact with the landscape. The result is four independent houses with slightly different typologies and features, offering a total of seven rooms. Protected but not isolated and surrounded by various courtyards that create private spaces perfect to rest and connect, the four houses of Pa.te.os offer a constant dance of light and shade.
Each house offers expansive views over the ocean, and a communal swimming pool reflects the shape of the houses and respect for the topography. One highlight is a custom artwork by Portuguese artist Olga Sanina, who was commissioned to create four pieces (one for each house) to represent the four seasons and did so by collecting foliage from the property over the period of construction.