In the rolling landscape of Alentejo, dawn is a magical moment. The stars begin to fade, a gentle warmth envelops the sky and the sun reflects its glow onto the pastures and cork-oak trees. There’s no better time to view this modern building, accessible via a dirt track, than when it is bathed in that golden light, which emphasises the ascetic spirit of its clean lines and its palette of raw concrete, grey slate and Kebony Clear wood, as well as the grand volume of its 35-metre-wide windows.
The property, so skilfully integrated into the rural landscape as to become almost invisible, belongs to avant-garde architect Gonçalo Bonniz, who hosts meditation retreats here in the spring and cooking classes during the summer, using produce from the garden.
Crafting an interior that matched the rigour, but also the softness, of this home’s design was the task of Emma Pucci and Valentina Pilia, creators of the Lisbon-based Flores design studio. ‘We were introduced to Gonçalo early in the project, which allowed us to intervene at the right moment and establish an easy collaboration,’ says Emma.
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They chose a colour palette inspired by the land: warm earth tones and ochres, with greys, off-whites and creams referencing the bark of the old cork oaks. This stage found them selecting the most natural, simple and local materials possible, to avoid any artifice.
The decoration came later, always with the goal of harmonising with nature. ‘The challenge was to use materials and craftsmanship that were emblematic of Portugal, but through a contemporary lens,’ says Valentina.
‘To be honest, we work with pieces we would like to have in our own homes because, in the end, they are timeless.’ Ancient artisanal techniques can be seen throughout the house, from the solid-wood tables to poufs filled with local cork granules and jute lamps – a material traditionally used for baskets.
Linen (used for the curtains) was sourced from a nearby weaver whose husband grows, harvests and processes the flax in his own garden, while wool – naturally dyed with avocado or onion – came from neighbouring sheep.
The idea was to ‘warm up’ an almost monastic decor with a cosy, soothing atmosphere, from the large communal space to the six simple and welcoming bedrooms. Everything in the home has been thought out to promote interaction, removing the superfluous to return to only the essentials, lightening the form to emphasise the content.
‘The minimalist, frugal spirit fosters a demanding simplicity,’ explains Valentina. ‘There is no greater contemplation than the permanent movement of colours in these fields,’ concludes Emma. florestextilestudio.com; gbarquitectos.pt
