Holiday home Casa Plaj

Just an hour north of bustling Lisbon and not far from the world-famous surfing spots of Peniche and Ericeira lies the small town of Lourinhã – one of Europe’s most important palaeontological sites and the centre of Portuguese fruit growing. The location is rural and quiet – life here is down to earth in many ways. A place for a radically minimalist retreat.

The Casa Plaj sits enthroned on a narrow slope high above the Silver Coast, almost weightless between the sky and the landscape. With views over the green valley to the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by the Lisbon-based architectural firm extrastudio, the house is a tribute to the simple, earthy aesthetics of the region, interpreted with contemporary precision. At the same time, the archetypal silhouette with its cantilevered terraces and warm, pigmented lime plaster gives the building an almost sculptural presence, floating above the surroundings. It is as if the building has just landed. Supported by four walls and a cross-shaped podium, it leans against the steep topography. Only the entrance touches the slope – a central cavity with a translucent sliding gate made of steel slats.

The rough materiality of the chalk-red façade continues inside: grey plastered walls, sloping ceilings and smooth concrete floors create a monochrome, neutral backdrop for the play of light that travels through the entire interior throughout the day, turning the architecture into a clock. This is created by a central, round skylight and a series of precisely calculated and placed oculi.

A spacious, high-ceilinged living room with kitchen, dining and lounge areas opens to the north, east and west, while the three double bedrooms face south. Terraces extend the interior space throughout, offering each room direct access to the outdoors. The seven-metre-high living area with its huge sliding glass doors, fireplace and kitchen block made of rare Portuguese Mármore Verde Serpa marble forms the antithesis.

Parallel to the sea, which is only a ten-minute walk away, a long saltwater swimming pool stretches between wild pine trees. Next to it is a Zen-like garden with a dining area and an outdoor shower. Surrounded by old trees and newly planted fruit trees.

What to do

Relax and watch the time pass by, swim in the pool, read in the meditative garden, bathe, swim and surf in the sea, e.g. at the nearest beach, Praia de Porto das Barcas (a 10-minute walk away), or at Praia da Peralta and Praia da Areia Branca (a few minutes away by car). Visit Lourinhã Dino Park or the local museum, take trips to nearby Óbidos with its medieval castle, Bombarral with its vineyards and Buddha Eden Garden, the surfing hotspots of Peniche and Ericerira, and of course Lisbon.

Why we like this house


The spectacular Casa Plaj hovers above things and yet is deeply connected to everything – the landscape, the sea, the light, time.

This house is great for

Portugal fans, those seeking peace and quiet, surfers and nature lovers – whether as a couple, a group of friends up to 6 people or families with children over 6 years of age (open balcony railings), pets are not permitted.

Owner

During a trip to Portugal, Munich couple Anna and Paul Jax stumbled upon a small, steep plot of land by the sea. Working closely with architects and craftsmen, and with a spirit of experimentation and improvisation, they created a holiday home that proves that the best residential architecture is born out of dialogue. When the family is not spending their free time on the Silver Coast themselves, they share their retreat with like-minded people.

Details

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