CASA VARATOJO BY ATELIER DATA

A spiral-shaped residence of cork, cement and reclaimed materials

Perched on a hill above Torres Vedras, Portugal, Casa Varatojo by Atelier Data blends the best of the country’s natural resources and native vegetation with a quirky contemporary layout.

The house spirals carefully upward, from a ground floor entry ramp to the second storey volume. Reclaimed railway sleepers follow the spiral, beginning as a wall to delineate the property and continuing within the garden to form a sliding timber curtain that can be closed for privacy. The particular shape ensures protection from the rough Northern winds and allowed the architects to place the principle living areas on the warmer Southern side.

The home is divided over three main storeys. A continuous open plan on the ground floor creates an impression of space in the central living areas, while a more private wing holds the guest and children’s rooms. On the first floor is the master bedroom, bathroom and a library mezzanine that overlooks the common areas. Finally, the lower level contains an indoor swimming pool, home cinema, gym, wine cellar and garage.

It was important to both client and architect to include native vegetation in the garden, so Portuguese oak, Mediterranean Buckthorn and Etruscan honeysuckle were used to populate the green space. Portuguese cork also plays a significant role in the construction with its use on the façade and within the interior. Rust-colored cement resembling aged steel completes the construction materials.