A square building on a triangular plot, with corner windows produces a family home with a very clear programme. 

CS House is a residence for a young family, on the outskirts of Águeda, Portugal.  

The triangular site was an exercise in how to push a series of concepts and ideas into place. It became, above all, a project that synthetises, with a rational approach, the way people inhabit a family dwelling during daily events of their lives. 

A perfect square in the centre of the triangular plot gave rise to a simple orthogonal shape.

Basic geometry 

Set within a semi-rural single-family housing surrounding, on a triangular plot slightly elevated from the road level, allowed architects WALAA + Jorge Gonzalez, to place the building as an object of rationality with its context.  

A perfect square in the centre of the triangular plot gave rise to a simple orthogonal shape, with large openings, a container to be filled with light. 

The simple structure is carved into a U-shape, giving space for a patio and pool.

Living spaces 

The block with its simple structure is carved into a U-shape.  

This design allowed for the realisation of an interior private patio that extends to the detached pool at the far-end angle of the triangular site.  

The geometry makes a clear distribution of the living space and house programme, embracing the patio with maximum privacy and controlled solar exposure.  

The house volume is highlighted by the two corner windows, breaking the volume of the space.

Light and bright 

The house volume is highlighted by the two corner windows, enhancing the different interior spaces and breaking the rigidity of the volume.  

The connection between outside and inside, allows the natural light to enter every space. Each space experiencing the changing light moods, from morning to evening.  

The light in the home reflects over it and into its materials, its minimal finishings, and simplicity of forms and textures.

The light passing through the building, reflecting over it and into its materials, both exterior and interior, is punctuated by the exposed concrete elements of the porches.  

Project details 

Project name: CS House 

Location: Águeda, Portugal 

Total area:  400m2 

Completed: 2024 

Architecture Office: WALAA + Jorge Gonzalez 

Main Architect: Nuno Lobo, Jiangtong Wang 

Collaboration: Jorge Gonzalez, Atelier ba 

Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio 

Thanks and acknowledgement go to www.ivotavares.net for the information in this article.