In August, we launched the first Architecture Tours Bom Sucesso – an initiative from owners to explore and celebrate the extraordinary collection of modern architecture that defines the Bom Sucesso community.
The first edition was an intimate event, exclusive to a small group of Bom Sucesso owners. People enjoyed visiting 9 villas on two different evenings, experiencing the villas unique atmospheres, and discovering the contrasts between the Porto School and Lisbon School of architecture through personal notes and stories, all part of the Architecture Tours Bom Sucesso.
In every house, we learned about the architect(s), their notable works, and their involvement at Bom Sucesso Resort. This was followed by a personal tour of the villa by the owners, who shared what they love, what they would change, and how crucial the architecture is for their daily lives during the Architecture Tours Bom Sucesso.
A big thank you goes to the homeowners who generously opened their doors – the tours would not be possible without you!
Highlights from the August Tours:
La Bella Camilla by Alcino Soutinho (1930–2013)
Soutinho was one of the great masters of the Porto School, shaping generations of architects as both a teacher and practitioner. Known for his humanist approach and strong civic vision, he brought modernism into dialogue with tradition. His villa at Bom Sucesso reflects his attention to context, wind orientation, and interior–exterior balance, with marble finishes and a fireplace as a central feature – creating a very dynamic living experience in a gorgeous landscape setting.
Notable Works Beyond Bom Sucesso: Matosinhos City Hall, Vila Franca de Xira Municipal Library
White Block House by Manuel Aires Mateus (b. 1963)
Aires Mateus is known internationally for his sculptural, minimalist language, where light and voids play as important a role as mass. At Bom Sucesso, he designed 7 row houses and 11 villas, all deeply integrated with the site. The “White Blocks” residence exemplifies his architectural poetry of subtraction and geometry.
Notable Works Beyond Bom Sucesso: Cascais Lighthouse, Leiria House, Cave House, EDP Headquarters (Lisbon)
Cube Villa by Gonçalo Byrne (b. 1941)
Byrne’s practice is characterized by rigorous geometry and a deep sensitivity to context. At Bom Sucesso, he created five projects, including the striking “Cube Villa,” where cubic forms are articulated to create layered spatial experiences.
Notable Works Beyond Bom Sucesso: Chiado Renewal (with Álvaro Siza), Portuguese National Library Extension, São Martinho do Porto Tourist Information Center.
Oliveiras Villa by Nuno Graça Moura (b. 1972)
Graça Moura, a disciple of Eduardo Souto de Moura, carries forward the Porto School tradition with rigorous proportions, material sensibility, and a refined modern language. During the tour, we hosted a special architectural talk focusing on his philosophy and practice, and went into detail about the 13 different buildings he contributed to Bom Sucesso Resort.
Red L Villas by João Luís Carrilho da Graça (b. 1952)
Carrilho da Graça’s Red L Villas stand out with bold geometries and striking red façades – a strong Lisbon School presence at Bom Sucesso. Their sculptural form and dramatic color make them among the most recognizable villas of the resort. They are designed at the edge of each plot to fully optimize the garden.
Notable Works Beyond Bom Sucesso: Knowledge of the Seas Pavilion (Expo 98), Lisbon School of Music, Campo das Cebolas public space
Casa R by Atelier dos Remédios – Madalena Cardoso de Menezes & Francisco Teixeira Bastos
Founded in 1997, the Lisbon-based Atelier dos Remédios is known for contemporary residences with strong volumetric expression. At Bom Sucesso, they developed 7 villas and 3 row houses. Their Casa R, which we visited, is one of the most recent houses built, offering panoramic openness to the golf course with many contemporary design details.
Lobo Villa by Inês Lobo (b. 1963)
Winner of the ArcVision Prize – Women and Architecture in 2014, Inês Lobo’s work is refined, rational, and deeply contextual. Her villa at Bom Sucesso reflects her careful attention to proportion and clarity, offering an intimate yet powerful architectural experience.
Reflections
These tours are not only about visiting beautiful houses – they are about understanding the ideas, traditions, and debates that shaped them. Bom Sucesso is a living museum of contemporary Portuguese architecture, where the Porto School and Lisbon School meet, each with its own language and philosophy.
The feedback from our first editions was overwhelmingly positive, and an other edition is planned.
If you would like to join a future tour at Bom Sucesso, let me know and I will add you to the list. Ben