Mamey Home and Linha de Terra design an over cliff resident that prioritizes sea views, creates a sense of privacy from the neighbors and organically connects outdoor and indoor spaces.
A client we had previously worked with in Madrid reached out with a new commission: to design their first residence on a privileged plot on the Portuguese coast, on the outskirts of Ericeira near Lisbon. A surfer and remote worker, the client was looking for a place open to the landscape and in close connection with the surroundings, where they could find peace and daily enjoyment.
The site, located on the seafront and separated from the water by a cliff, had a steep topography and a fully west-facing orientation. In this extraordinary setting, the commission was to design a house that prioritized sea views, protected from direct sunlight, created a sense of privacy from the neighbors, and organically connected outdoor and indoor spaces.
From the start, the design focused on placing the social area and the main bedroom in direct relation to the landscape. After several explorations, the project crystallized into a clear and orderly structure: a square grid of 3×3 modules, where each cell, defined by columns—some visible, some hidden—corresponds to a space.
This layout, an interpretation of John Hejduk’s Nine Square Grid theory, not only solved the distribution but also provided a coherent and flexible architectural framework, with patios and terraces extending the interior spaces outwards.
The house unfolds over two floors and an accessible rooftop that becomes a terrace with 180-degree views. The lower, semi-buried floor takes advantage of the site’s natural slope to house the garage and service areas while improving thermal efficiency. The upper floor is reserved for the more private rooms. Between the two levels, a double-height space connects them vertically with a light staircase that allows light and views to flow through.
The living room is set lower than the rest of the floor, bringing it closer to the garden and reinforcing the sense of shelter facing the sea. The open and functional kitchen connects to the social area and to a small upper-floor patio that brings in natural light and ventilation. Hidden doors, interconnected spaces, and framed openings lined with wooden niches—both inside and out—help create a serene, warm atmosphere full of carefully crafted details.
Inside, polished concrete flooring and exposed concrete slabs were combined with selected wood and metal details to add texture and warmth. The house closes itself off from the street and neighboring plots, while opening completely to the sea.
Although the project was developed in Madrid, the construction was carried out in collaboration with Portuguese architect Raul Serra, who coordinated the technical studies, managed the permits, and oversaw the works with exceptional rigor and sensitivity, bringing a local perspective that enriched every detail.
Facts & Credits
Project title Casa Horizonte
Typology Residential
Location Ericeira, Portugal
Architecture Mamey Home and Linha de Terra
Project Architect Claudia Olalla + Raul Serra (Linha de Terra)
Collaborators Andrés Regifo
Year 2025
Client Private
Area 312 m²
Photography Eduardo Montenegro
Text provided by the architects
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