“Today, there’s a lot of noise around us in the world. A house should be your shelter from it all. It needs to create in you a sense of calmness, peace and belonging. The challenge for myself as an architect is to design a house that connects people to a place. So context is extremely important to study.”

(Melides House, 2025)

“Most of our project locations benefit from incredible views, but it’s too easy to open the view to everything. From within a house, we want to emphasise and frame the right scenes, what parts of the context we want to highlight. It’s about giving people the views that evoke quietude and serenity; comfort without losing context.”

(Quinta da Marinha House, 2024)

“Minimal? Well, yes. But in the sense of eliminating what doesn’t matter, not making the space cold, and relying on natural materials. To help create spaces with a sense of belonging, we have amazing materials here in Portugal — good stone and wood, lime plaster that offers a more natural touch and texture. They give so much character to a project, connecting people to their context.”

(Quinta da Marinha House, 2024)

“I spent five years working in London but I’m Portuguese in my way of thinking. I’m more simpler! When I came back to Portugal, I was extremely minimal at first. Today, I focus on designing spaces that create calmness. I reference a lot of Dutch and Nordic designers who are also focusing on what really matters, celebrating the beauty of natural materials. The aim is to bring peace and calmness into the spaces we design.”

(MF Estoril House, 2024)

“For young architects just entering the profession, I’d suggest getting involved in every aspect of the work — from concept sketches to site visits to the construction. Spend a few years learning it all. And surround yourself with people that make you want to learn.”

(MF Estoril House, 2024)