Perched elegantly within a verdant Lisbon golf course, Casa dos Alcoutins, a recent project by Paulo Martins Arquitectura e Design, is a masterclass in responding to dramatic topography

Defined by a seven-meter level difference across its plot, the 375 square meter residence by Paulo Martins Arquitectura e Design is organized as a seamless three-tiered structure, demonstrating a "freer, more connected way of living," as envisioned by its clients.

The home’s architecture is fundamentally shaped by this challenging slope. The spatial journey begins at the main entrance on the upper level, which houses the principal social areas. These spaces open expansively onto the landscape, connecting effortlessly with the main lateral terrace—and its inviting pool—through a significant recessed opening. Below, the intermediate level is dedicated to the private domain, featuring the bedrooms and suites. Here, a more subdued entrance sequence intentionally maximizes the visual and emotional impact of the panoramic views over the sprawling green. Finally, the lowest floor is discreetly reserved for parking and technical areas, offering direct access to the golf course. This layering creates a sense of fluid movement and blurred indoor-outdoor limits, simultaneously embracing the environment and shielding the private areas from neighboring sightlines.

Perhaps the most compelling feature is the structure’s crowning glory: a distinctively folded roofline. Inspired by the vernacular of Portuguese rural architecture, alongside tropical vegetation and a relaxed, contemporary lifestyle, the roof is a complex surface of gabled forms. It is clad in zinc on the exterior and warm walnut indoors, creating a sheltered, sculptural ceiling over the social spaces. Strategically placed openings within its geometry filter the sunlight through wooden slats, offering poetic, shifting glimpses of the sky.

This architectural gesture is anchored by a carefully restrained material palette that emphasizes balance with the natural setting. Outdoors, white plaster is paired with the rich texture of ipê wood. Indoors, the surfaces are finished in sophisticated microcement and the continued use of walnut. 

Through this combination, Casa dos Alcoutins stands out as a thoughtful integration of atmosphere, architecture, and the sublime natural landscape of Lisbon.