A Place in the Pines, Cascais, Portugal
This international commission takes Matthew Giles Architects to the Portuguese coast, to a gently sloping parkland near Colares, framed by pines and with expansive views towards the hills of Sintra. It is a project shaped by landscape and atmosphere – an opportunity to apply our architectural approach within a distinct cultural and environmental context, while remaining firmly grounded in our ethos.
Our clients moved to Portugal two years ago in search of space, sun, and the perfect wave. Having found it, they purchased this substantial plot of land and asked us to design a home defined by long horizons, outdoor living, and a deep connection to the ground it sits within.
From the outset, the principle was clear: the garden and the landscape come first; the building belongs within them. The architecture takes the form of four interconnected buildings – arranged like a small rural complex – unfolding through a carefully conceived sequence: from arrival, through the main living spaces, on to the bedroom wing, and finally to the annex, each part separated and connected by the landscape itself.
This approach, with buildings embedded of the ground rather than placed upon it, aligns closely with our ethos. Stone, wood, and earthy tones anchor the home to its setting, while terraces and courtyards blur the boundary between indoors and out.
Building work has begun – a project shaped by place, landscape, and a love of the sea.
- Architecture
- Matthew Giles Architects
- Interior Design
- Matthew Giles Architects
- Landscape Design
- MGA Landscape
- Visuals
- Matthew Giles Architects