From cliffside infinity pools to castle courtyards and vineyard views, these design-led escapes invite guests to float through Europe’s most beautiful landscapes one swim at a time. The art of summer transcends destinations—it’s defined by the emotions they inspire. At these handpicked members of The Aficionados, that sentiment often begins at the...
Written by
The Aficionados
Photography
The Aficionados
There are houses that struggle to understand and connect with their setting, showing a certain unease or lack of coherence in the choice of where to settle — choices that, for emotional reasons or creative visions, end up being justified and even triumphant!
Project name
Casa da Encosta
Architecture firm
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Location
Santo Tirso , Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Ricardo Silva Azevedo
Collaborators
Fénix Engenharia Civil
Structural engineer
Fénix Engenharia Civil
Landscape
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Lighting
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
When we first arrived at Rua de São João, all we saw was a hill next to the entrance of the plot, which blocked our view to the other side — to the west.
Project name
Pedrantil House
Architecture firm
Helder da Rocha Arquitectos
Location
Croca, Penafiel, Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Helder da Rocha
Structural engineer
Massa Cinza Engenheiros
Supervision
Massa Cinza Engenheiros
Construction
Avelar e Pias
Typology
Residential › House
A concept house on the coast of southern Portugal. The location`s materials are condensed into the building - sandstone, slate, red earth, granite, rippled glass and metal. Sliding walls, doors and curtains create an open floorpan, adjusting to the time of day and function.
Project name
Rocky Bungalow
Architecture firm
Mona Bouzarda
Location
Vila Do Bispo, Portugal
Principal architect
Mona Bouzarda
Visualization
Mona Bouzarda
Typology
Residential › Bungalow, Private Housing Concept
The building had long stood suspended in time and space, gradually falling into a state of disrepair—partially occupied, yet steadily losing structural integrity, quality, and a sense of safety.
Project name
Casa do Parque IV
Architecture firm
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Location
Santo Tirso, Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Ricardo Azevedo
Structural engineer
Fénix Engenharia Civil
Environmental & MEP
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Lighting
Fénix Engenharia Civil
Visualization
Ricardo Azevedo Arquitecto
Typology
Residential › House
The challenge proposed the creation of an urban park with a large green area associated with recreational and leisure functions, for a plot of land of approximately 20,000 square meters located in the center of S.Cosme, without any utility for the city.
Project name
Parque Urbano Gondomar
Architecture firm
Paulo Merlini Architects
Location
Gondomar, Porto, Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Paulo Merlini & André Santos Silva
Landscape Architecture
P4 - Artes e Técnicas da Paisagem
Collaborators
Inês Silva, Ana Rita Pinho
Typology
Public Space › Park
Where the forest meets the water, X Atelier proposes a wooden structure that draws a continuous gesture over a bay of the Inha River, a tributary river of the Douro Region.
Architecture firm
X Atelier
Tools used
Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, V-ray
Principal architect
Miguel Pereira, Ana Santos
Design team
Miguel Pereira, Ana Santos
The KI.art.music.coffee, designed by MAT Arquitetura e Interiores, is an innovative space that combines a passion for music and interior design in a unique and immersive environment.
Project name
KI.art.music.coffee
Architecture firm
MAT Arquitetura e Interiores
Location
Leça da Palmeira, Porto, Portugal
Photography
Ivo Tavares Studio
Principal architect
Sara Zamith Teixeira
Interior design
MAT Arquitetura e Interiores
Typology
Hospitality › Café
