Casa da Piscina, Northern Portuguese Building, Modern Portuguese Pavilion, Architecture Photos
Casa da Piscina in Northern Portugal
10 Apr 2022
Architect: Studio Nicholas Burns
Location: Northern Portugal

Photos: Peter Bennetts
The Pool House, Portugal
In a township in Northern Portugal, on 30 hectares and surrounded by forest and vineyards, sits Casa da Piscina a striking building. At first glance, the two-level stone pavilion could be mistaken for a house.

However, it was designed initially as an adjunct that would accompany the larger primary residnce planned for this majestic site. But unlike a typical pool house, with a kitchenette, a place to change and perhaps a few sun chairs on the terrace, this Nicholas Burns design brings together a series of elegant spaces that appear to have been ?chiselled? into this steep terrain.
With its strong connection to the landscape and the swimming pool (including a large artwork by Viennese artist Muntean Rosenblum) the stone, in situ concrete, glass and steel pool house masterfully catches the light through strategically placed portal-style windows embedded into the walls.

And while the large sliding doors to the terrace blur the lines between inside and out, the focus in winter is on the fireplaces that have been ?carved? into the massive walls. The granite floors also act as a thermal heat bank during the colder months as does the traditional Portuguese slate on the two interlocked roofs punctuated with Corten steel chimn...