Casa da Levada by Tsou Arquitectos, stands on a green plot in a quiet village in Paredes, facing the river Tâmega. Instead of placing a structure onto the land, the project carves its presence from the earth itself. Casa da Levada follows the contours of the site, allowing the house to take shape in response to its surroundings.
The architects avoided contrast and allowed the terrain to lead. The building mass follows the sloping topography, and the form emerges from the material character of the site. Every architectural gesture, from placement to proportion, grows from this rooted connection. The result creates a kind of natural architecture where the house becomes a quiet extension of the environment around it.
Dividing Space Through Terrain
Access begins with a pedestrian path, which slices across the lawn like a paved groove. From there, the layout separates into two volumes: one for public activities like dining and gathering, and the other for private living. A narrow break in the massing, described as a tectonic fault, divides these spaces and directs movement toward a central courtyard. The plan circles this courtyard, creating an outdoor room with edges defined by overhangs and framed views of the surrounding fields.
The horizontal lines of the house meet the sky without interruption, while the overhangs provide both shelter and structure. The courtyard acts as a physical and social anchor. It’s open, but protected. The house doesn’t just contain space, it outlines and frames it, especially through its relationship with the changing light and open views.
Controlled Comfort
Casa da Levada uses several integrated systems to regulate indoor temperature without compromising the design’s quiet clarity. The architects opted for a water-based radiant floor system connected to a heat pump. This system provides both heating and cooling. Ceramic flooring, chosen for its conductivity, helps distribute the heat or cool air quickly and evenly.
They also installed a Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) system with a heat exchanger. This unit circulates fresh air throughout the interior while reducing heat loss. The design team placed glazing with precision, balancing views with energy concerns. Exterior blinds and solar shading manage sunlight, capturing warmth in winter and deflecting excessive heat in summer.
Building with Site in Mind
Every material choice supports a larger goal: to build a house that lives with the site, not on it. The cork cladding helps the house age naturally while improving insulation. A green roof continues the slope of the existing land, visually anchoring the house to the terrain. Instead of importing new finishes, the design team sourced stone from nearby ruins to build the patio. These granite stones were reassembled with attention to their original shapes and textures, offering a ground surface that feels both familiar and considered.
Casa da Levada by Tsou Arquitectos, doesn’t rely on contrast or excess. It finds strength in restraint. It follows the terrain instead of cutting into it, and it answers practical needs, privacy, ventilation, insulation, without compromising spatial quality.
Project name: Casa da Levada
Architecture Office: Tsou Arquitectos
Main Architect: Tiago Tsou
Location: Rua do Gondeiro, Penafiel, Portugal
Year of conclusion: 2024
Total area: 300 m²
Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
