Concrete House
VIEIRA DO MIÑHO / HOME / WATCHLIST
Raw, exposed concrete & glass are the primary materials that make up this ode to simple modernism at the gateway of the dramatic Gerês mountains in Northern Portugal. Designed by local architecture studio Carvalho Araújo to blend in with its deep woodland setting, the house appears, hidden, at the edge of a lake where a cascading waterfall meets the placid water.
The Concrete House’s original building's volume helped to inform the scale & proportions of the house, which is designed to accommodate fluid family living. Due to the sloping hillsides, the bottom level of the house is embedded in the hillside, resulting in a bunker-like structure that extends the sense of protection offered by the natural surroundings. Bedrooms, in contrast, are like hideouts on the upper floor as the spaces cleverly interlink with the forested surroundings through large openings & full-height windows with views towards the reservoir. Beneath the slanted roof, four bedrooms are arranged towards the centre of the space.
This is a house for those architecture enthusiasts & minimalists looking to escape from it all for a few days of solace surrounded by the magnificent landscapes of Portugal’s Northern region.
Room Service
Location: Vieira do Miñho, Moiñho.
Sleeps: 6 people in two double bedrooms and two single bedrooms. Each double and single room shares a bathroom. There’s not a lot of privacy but for one family or a group of friends who don’t mind close quarters, there’s enough space.
Price: The whole house starts at 350€ per night.
Highlights: Apart from the experiential feel of the house - it also has its own pontoon and swimming deck complete with row boat and canoes for exploring the lake. The waterfall creates small pools for little ones too, perfect for the summer months.
Services: The house is self-catered.
Designed by Carvalho Araújo.
Photography by Design Escapes Portugal
The Neighbourhood: Close by are the gargantuan mountains of the Géres National Park, for those who want to do some serious hiking & soul searching amongst nature’s beauty. There are some small shops and snack bars nearby but prepare to travel for really good, traditional tabernas such as Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira about 30 minutes drive away.
The Map
Casa na Caniçada is located in the Moinho region of Portugal, around an hour’s drive from Porto. Fly to Porto, rent a car & take a road trip while finding some freedom while you’re there.