Curves and counter curves organizing the space. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha

06/06/2023. [Gondomar] Portugal
metalocus, ADELA BONAS

Architect Sandra Micaela Casinha was commissioned to design the “Pátios de Pétalas” house, a single-family house in the shape of a flower that feeds and protects from the sun. The residence is located in the urban area of Gondomar, a district to the east of the city of Porto, Portugal.

The residence is inspired by the natural environment and creates a metaphor with the petals, projecting an organic house with a floral shape, which articulates the openings and patios on the outside. Inside the flower, a wall with its curves and counter curves organizes, creates transitions, guides and organizes the different spaces that appear...

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

Ground floor plan. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha.

First floor plan. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha.

Roof plan. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha.

East elevation. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha.

South elevation. House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha.

Sandra Micaela Casinha organizes the house on two floors organized around a central staircase, on the lower floor we find the common areas such as the living room, the kitchen, and the dining room arranged in an open-plan manner and covered by large windows. On the upper floor is the master bedroom. On this floor, there is also a bedroom for the daughter, a cozy space that connects with a patio full of light.

The construction opts for the use of materials and colors that enhance the organic image of the project, white plaster, which draws the petals, aluminum, and glass, on the outside, or wood on the inside. The interior finishes of the residence follow a palette of pastel and "raw" colors.

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

Project description by Sandra Micaela Casinha

"They say that flowers are all words that the earth says"
Fernando Pessoa.

Like a flower, the house's "patios of petals" is fed and protected from the sun. It touches the floor simply, with a large "U" glazing. An internal curved structural wall that together with the heart of the house (the stairs), builds its interior. The flower petals embrace the entire upper floor. In its organicist movement, the openings, and the patios appear. To reinforce their presence, we limit the use to three materials: White, which draws the petals, aluminum, and glass. Thus, the petals gain more expression, more “body”.

The lower floor, mostly a large U-shaped glass, is where the petals simply land. Here, too, we can see three "light" materials: glass, aluminum, and wood, always with the same objective: to highlight the main actor: the organicist white volume.

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

Inside the flower, as already mentioned, a wall with its curves and counter-curves organizes, creates transitions, directs... or not... to the different spaces that appear... Fluid, we connect from space to space, visually or physically... A floor developed in an “open space” concept but with its own moments that give them autonomy and privacy…

Stairs define the heart of the home. And it is here that continuity is felt from one floor to another, from the sinuous, curved, structural wall.

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

Three suites lie ahead. Each one communicates with its patio that, with its rose petals, snuggles us. In the decoration, you can feel the palette of pastel and “raw” colors used in architecture. Furniture that enhances the tranquility of the place, casual comfort, natural materials, and simplicity. For this, we use textiles and neutral colors and from time to time you can see pastel green on the chairs, which emphasize the color of the kitchen furniture and the wallpaper in the living room…A coffee table in bamboo highlights the intention of nature. always present… Lamps in bamboo and wicker, vases in wicker and solid wood, with dried flowers and their fantastic colors from orange to lilac. Sometimes we use “old gold”. A sophisticated touch that awakens us. This is the service bathroom… Washbasins in “crude” tones Contrast with the pendulum lamp and the mirror, both with the presence of “old gold”.

House “Pátios de Pétalas” by Sandra Micaela Casinha. Photograph by Ivo Tavares Studio.

In the master suite, a four-poster bed, accompanied by two wooden bedside tables and two wicker lamps simply await. The little girl's room, a beautiful princess, has a cozy bed, and a full-length mirror, and faces the large patio full of light and soul.

This is how we can see the house "patios de petals". Urban landscape inspired by the natural... artificial interior experience inspired by the natural... and this is how emotion is created and expected to be filled with laughter, dreams, joys, and flowers... many flowers...