Tucked into the coastal landscape of Esposende, the Casa das Marinhas is a landmark of discreet modernism in Portugal. Designed in 1954 by Alfredo Viana de Lima as his own family residence, the house reflects a deeply personal synthesis of international modernist ideals and the architectural traditions of the north of Portugal.

At first glance, the house appears simple and unassuming—low-lying volumes, whitewashed walls, pitched tiled roofs. But beneath this apparent modesty lies a rigorously composed spatial order and a keen sensitivity to materials, climate, and place. Viana de Lima, one of the early voices of Portuguese modernism, sought to reconcile the functional clarity of modern architecture with the warmth and familiarity of vernacular forms.

The house is arranged around a central patio, encouraging natural light and cross-ventilation throughout the interior. Local materials like granite, wood, and clay tiles are used with care and restraint, anchoring the building in its context. Large openings frame the surrounding pine forest and dunes, extending the living spaces into the landscape.

More than a private home, Casa das Marinhas is an architectural statement about domestic life, tradition, and innovation. It exemplifies a generation of Portuguese architects who challenged the extremes of modernism by rooting it in lived experience. Today, the house operates as a museum and continues to inspire as a model of timeless, regionally grounded design.