Nestled in the Sintra Mountains, near Azóia, a small village marked by the constant blue of the sea, strong Atlantic winds, and the dramatic presence of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Casa Xavier draws from the area’s architectural language of simple, sober façades and modest, low-rise volumes.

The project consists of a single-family residence distributed across three independent structures: the main house, an annex, and a garage.

The main house is conceived as a central, geometric volume, oriented towards three key elements of the site: the garden, the sea, and the Sintra mountains. Its interior reinforces this compositional clarity through symmetrical spaces and generous natural light. The layout unfolds over two levels, connected by a central staircase that anchors the project.

Social areas, such as the living room and kitchen, are located on the southern side to maximise sunlight, while service spaces like the gaming room, technical areas, and office are placed  on the northern side. Bedrooms are located on the west, with an additional bedroom, service restroom, and storage on the eastern side.

The roof, designed with four slopes, blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The structure is made by exposed wooden beams and rafters which will create a rhythmic interplay of light and shadow. At the center, a lowered section discreetly houses all technical equipment, fully concealed from the exterior.


The house benefits highly from natural cooling and ventilation due to the chimney effect despite its the large volume. This results in an energy-efficient home with excellent environmental performance.

The project emphasises the integration between architecture and landscape, allowing the house to extend naturally into the garden. The landscape design is based on native vegetation, with low-maintenance shrub species planted near the boundary walls. The intervention also includes the construction of perimeter enclosures, a swimming pool, and its supporting technical areas.