Built on the ruins of an old sawmill in Celorico de Basto, Casa Corten emerges from the land in harmony with the slope, preserving native vegetation. Green roofs extend the terrain, while glazed façades capture the western light and create a fluid connection between interior and exterior.
Raw concrete, rugged and imperfect, meets walnut wood, producing spaces that balance cold and warmth, shadow and light. Every corner is crossed by gardens, every moment of the day reveals subtle shifts in light and shadow, creating a unique sensory experience.
The Casa Corten project emerged from a contextual and site-specific response to the pre-existing conditions of the plot — a former timber factory, now in ruins, with only oxidized steel sheets remaining as traces of its industrial past. The architectural form and layout were meticulously defined in accordance with the site’s topography, employing a fragmented volumetry that aligns with the natural contours of the land, thereby minimizing the visual and physical impact of the intervention on the terrain and its surrounding landscape.
Two key design challenges were the steep natural slope and the solar orientation. The slope was addressed through the implementation of green roofs on both levels, enabling the built volumes to be perceived as extensions of the terrain — almost like sculpted elevations — which foster a sense of natural integration. To address the east-facing orientation and its inverse solar exposure, the main openings were oriented westward, allowing for passive solar gains. The architectural gesture of “lifting” the house from the ground plane also allowed natural light to penetrate the lower level while preserving the existing native vegetation. Thus, the garden becomes the spatial and conceptual core of the project, connecting both levels and transforming a constraint into a defining feature.
The upper floor is recessed, following the topographical line, which breaks the massing and introduces greater privacy from the adjacent path. Fully glazed façades enhance the relationship between interior and landscape, ensuring continuous daylight and panoramic views. The southern façade is screened with a perforated corten steel brise-soleil, which functions both as a sun-shading device and a visual filter, providing privacy on the most exposed elevation while contributing to the material identity of the building.
Material selection was guided by a commitment to contextual sensitivity and continuity with the site’s past. Corten steel clads the exterior envelope and penetrates the interior at key moments — notably the entrance hall and suites — where it is juxtaposed with raw, irregularly textured, naturally stained concrete. This material palette establishes a tactile and chromatic dialogue that embraces imperfection and authenticity.
Internally, the spatial organization emphasizes openness, light, and a constant visual connection with the natural surroundings. The entrance hall, clad in corten and wood, acts as a vertical connector between the private area on the lower level and the social areas above. Exposed concrete dominates floors, walls, and ceilings, reinforcing spatial cohesion and material continuity. The lower level accommodates four suites, while the upper level houses the kitchen, dining, and living areas under a dynamic, high-pitched roof structure that opens up to 360-degree views of the landscape.
All built-in furniture was custom-designed, and decorative elements were carefully curated to reinforce architectural intent.
Sustainability and environmental performance were central to the design strategy. Features such as extensive green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, photovoltaic panels, deciduous vegetation for passive shading, strategically planted trees, and integrated home automation contribute to a highly energy-efficient and environmentally responsive dwelling.
The external areas were conceived as extensions of the interior, fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. They include a series of patios, a garden populated with native and aromatic species, an accessible green roof for relaxation and contemplation, an outdoor kitchen with wood-fired oven, an exterior fireplace, a heated jacuzzi, and an infinity pool set within a naturalistic pond and landscape. Together, these elements create a unique living environment that balances social interaction with tranquility and immersive contact with nature.
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Project name: Casa Corten
Project location: Celorico de Basto, Portugal
Architecture Office: HPA Arquitetura e Investimentos
Main Architect: Hugo Pereira
Year of conclusion: 2025
Total area: 495,50 m²
Architectural Photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
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