Casa da Lila by a South Korean publisher

Casa da Lila now featuring in the book A-DETAIL #5 published in hard cover & e-book by the South Korean publisher Archiworld (archiworld1995.com). 

The mission of the Dutch/Portuguese architect’s practice Studio Arte is to create environments full of surprises and to exceed expectations. Casa da Lila is an excellent example of their vision. Located on one of the historic streets of the little Portuguese town of Silves in southern Portugal, this house is a constant source of amazement. Not only does its unassuming traditional façade conceal contemporary architecture and an exquisite interior, but what’s more, this little house, which looks from the street like a small single-storey dwelling, turns out to be a spacious marvel extending over three levels, giving wide ranging views over the town and surrounding hills.

This derelict 1950s town house has been almost completely rebuilt. As it is a listed building, the regulations specified that the northern façade, facing onto the street, had to be retained in its original form. On the south side, overlooking the garden, the house has a modern face defined by straight lines, large windows, and terraces on the three levels. The architects have created a series of interlinked rooms, cleverly using every centimeter to the full. The pure, white design and glimpses through from one session to the next, as well as to the outside, make the rooms seem even larger than they are.

Watch the wonderful report made by ARQ. 3 – Casa Report and discover the story behind Casa da Lila on this video.