The clients asked us for a house in which the pool and terrace would play a central role in the design. The project therefore responds to the desire for privacy, comfort and enjoyment of a courtyard with a pool.
Project Name: L shaped house with pool
Studio Name: Utopia – Arquitectura e Engenharia Lda
Location: Rua das Cartas, Valadares, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Total floor area: 380 m2
Plot area: 1080m2
Construction period: 2025
Design team: Ricardo Tedim Cruz José Almeida, Filipe Pinho
Photography Credits: Pedro Machado
The solution found was an L-shaped house that embraces a garden with a swimming pool, creating a fluid relationship between interior and exterior. The pool is skilfully converted into a terrace as it has a walkable roof. This arrangement simultaneously protects the living spaces from outside glances and opens up the house to the horizon and the sea.
The house concept
The concept of a house with a pool is based on the possibility of enjoying the water all year round. The heated pool is positioned so that it is visible and accessible from the main rooms – kitchen, living room, gym and bedrooms – and can be covered by a sliding wooden panel, guaranteeing child safety and protection from the elements. This canopy becomes a functional terrace, allowing multiple uses of the same space, whether for al fresco dining or relaxing in the sun.
A flexible architecture
The garden runs along the perimeter of the house, making it easy to maintain and keeping the greenery ever-present. The selection of low-maintenance species and the proximity of the deck to the pool create a harmonious coexistence between nature and architecture. The deck ensures comfort by the water, even when the pool is closed, preserving aesthetics and functionality. The removable cover allows the water to be kept clean and heated with less energy effort, contributing to the durability of the equipment and reducing maintenance costs.
The passive house system
The house integrates passive air conditioning strategies, guaranteeing temperature gains in winter through solar radiation and cooling in summer through passive ventilation. It also includes high-efficiency active systems such as heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, reflecting a responsible architecture that simultaneously values comfort, aesthetics and sustainability.
