Forte House is an architectural project located in the city of Santo Tirso. Pema Studio's intervention responds in a thoughtful and stimulating way to the surrounding urban context, creating a house that challenges conventions and offers unique emotional spaces.
In the heart of the city of Santo Tirso, in a consolidated urban residential area, the architectural intervention of Forte House represents a careful response to a complex and stimulating context. The lot on which the house stands is confined between neighboring buildings, without significant comparisons from a landscape point of view.
The pre-existing structure, very run down and of little aesthetic value, was located in an uninteresting duality between the street and the rear courtyard. Moving away from this type of construction was a logical and at the same time stimulating attitude, but above all necessary and effective.
The intervention starts from a massive block that detaches boldly from the boundaries of the lot, following its perimeter. Through subtraction, empty spaces are delineated and the program fits intuitively between the courtyards, constantly refusing a direct relationship with the external perimeter.
The house is designed with a complex balance between the idea of a dense and enclosed fortress and the reinterpretation of the typical patio house, seeking a protected oasis in an intimate relationship with the sky. The name "Forte" underlines the importance of privacy, while the volumetric design reveals the essential strategy of capturing light and ventilation, inspired by Islamic culture.
The old facade, an identifying element of the pre-existing building, has been preserved as an integral part of the new complex. Through appropriate functional changes, it has been restored and rehabilitated as an element of cohesion and framing of the surrounding urban context, reducing the impact of the intervention on the street.
The clients, who are also friends of the design studio, were looking for a house which, despite the clear space and privacy limitations of the land, would be extremely pragmatic and flexible, but also sensitive and surprising. The answer, the result of an intense maturation process, has a character strongly linked to the challenge posed, without ever renouncing the personality and the desire to create emotional spaces and unique moments, in which light becomes the main protagonist.
There are spaces that cannot be explained in words, but can be perceived. Architecture often risks being suffocated by absurd functionalism and superficial fashion. However, we hope that doesn't happen here at Forte House, where the architecture will hopefully keep the essence of feeling alive.
Forte House's approach to design is distinguished by its sensitivity towards the surrounding context and the needs of the clients. In an era where architecture tends to favor functionalism and ephemeral fashions, Forte House aims to preserve the emotional essence and the deep bond that architecture can establish with people.
Every space inside Forte House has been carefully designed to arouse emotions and create unique moments. Natural light, understood as a material to be manipulated, becomes the absolute protagonist, illuminating the rooms in a delicate way and creating suggestive atmospheres. The play of light and shadow, captivating perspectives and strategic openings combine to generate an immersive and stimulating spatial experience.
But Forte House is not just aesthetics and atmosphere. Its design is strongly based on functionality and flexibility. Despite the space and privacy limitations of the land, the architects managed to create an extremely pragmatic house, able to adapt to the changing needs of its inhabitants. The interior spaces are organized efficiently, with intelligent solutions for rest, work, relaxation and socialising.
project info
Project name: Strong House
Architecture Office: pema study
Collaborations: Daniel Carvalho (Livre Atelier – https://livreatelier.com/) and Dário Cunha
Main Architect: Tiago Pedrosa Martins
Website: https://www.pemastudio.pt/
Email: tiago@pemastudio.pt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pemaArchitectureStudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pemastudio/
Location: Santo Tirso
Year of conclusion: 2022
total area: 280m2
Builder: Construções Alves and Freitas, Lda.
Engineering: M2 – Cabinet of Studies
Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
Website: www.ivotavares.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivotavaresstudio
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivotavaresstudio
