Casa 109, designed by Frari – architecture network, is an innovative residence facing the important EN109 arterial road. Through contemporary, intelligent architecture and a strategic layout, the house shields itself from traffic and creates a transitional green space.
The large windows and the orientation of the rooms towards the outside space favor natural light and connection with the surrounding environment.
The house stands along one of the most important arteries of the city, the National Road EN109. This residence, specially designed for residential use, appears as a uniform body which, thanks to its shape and layout, is protected from the hustle and bustle of the street.
The main facade of Casa 109 develops perpendicular to the road, creating a stark contrast with the surrounding environment. In this way, the front facade becomes "blind", i.e. without direct openings onto the street, and is separated by a green area of transition and protection. This natural barrier performs a dual function: on the one hand, it protects the house from environmental and noise pollution generated by the arterial road, and on the other, it guarantees the necessary privacy for the inhabitants.
Entry into House 109, which is unobtrusively from the north side, is celebrated by a magnificent view to the south through the large windows that span the southern facade of the building. The latter, oriented perpendicular to the neighboring street, allows House 109 to offer a lateral external space that develops parallel to the main façade. This large and welcoming space looks like a green area for relaxation and free time.
All the rooms in Casa 109 overlook this important external space, favoring it over other possible internal environments, thanks to the presence of a porch on the ground floor or a shared balcony on the upper floor. These architectural elements not only create a uniform facade, but allow the building volume to extend beyond its limits, while maintaining an aesthetic homogeneity.
The particular curved shape of the building offers adequate protection from the wind in the porch, while ensuring greater depth to the external space along the axis of the house.
The use of Corten walls, together with the large windows, distinguishes the upper body of the building from the white body of the other levels. This contrast of materials and colors helps to create a large volume which, despite its grandeur, is lightened by the structural balance and the choice of materials.
Casa 109 stands as a critical response to the architectural solutions adopted in the areas adjacent to national roads, offering a solution to the problem of not being able to enjoy outdoor spaces and imposing a missing rule that allows these arteries to guarantee respectable livability. With its simplicity and solidity, this residence is an example of how architecture can intervene in complex urban contexts, solving the challenges associated with the coexistence of houses and busy streets.
Casa 109 stands out for its ability to integrate harmoniously into the surrounding context, while preserving the privacy and comfort of the inhabitants. The arrangement of the rooms, oriented towards the outside space, favors the entry of natural light and creates a direct link with the surrounding environment, allowing the inhabitants to fully enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
The architectural approach of Frari – architecture network is characterized by a contemporary aesthetic that blends harmoniously with functionality and living comfort. The use of materials such as Corten and the large windows creates a game of visual contrasts that makes Casa 109 unique in its kind. This choice of materials not only contributes to the building's strength and durability, but also lends a distinctive character to the entire structure.
project info
Project name: House 109
Architecture Office: Frari – network architecture
Main Architect: Maria Fradinho
Website: www.frari.pt
Email: info@frari.pt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Frari.architecture.network
Instagram: www.instagram.com/frari.architecture.network
Location: Vagos, Portugal
Year of conclusion: 2022
total area: 700 m2
Engineering: Pedro Tavares – Engineering of Projects, Coordenação de Segurança e Direcção de Obras Lda.
Landscape Architect: Gardens and Exteriores - Arthur Pereira
Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
Website: www.ivotavares.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivotavaresstudio
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivotavaresstudio
