Designed by Alcino Soutinho, this house was built for Francelim Soutinho (the architect’s older brother) and Maria Helena Pereira de Andrade on Estrada da Circunvalação, an area that was still underdeveloped at the time. It was Alcino Soutinho’s first single-family house project, marking the beginning of his exploration of modern domestic architecture.

The design balances traditional and modern elements, reflecting the social norms of the time while incorporating spatial fluidity. The house features a formal guest reception room and a maid’s quarters, but also embraces a more open and interconnected layout, particularly in the central living spaces—the living room, dining room, and reading room—which are arranged at two different levels, connected by steps. This layout enhances visual and spatial continuity, fostering interaction while maintaining distinct functional areas.

The façade composition emphasizes horizontal layering, using materials such as granite, dark wood shutters, and white plaster to create a structured yet elegant appearance. A triangular volume rising above the structure adds a strong architectural identity, demonstrating Soutinho’s approach to pure geometric forms.

Inside, custom-designed furniture by Alcino Soutinho integrates with the architectural elements, reinforcing a sense of cohesion between space and function. The house also exhibits Soutinho’s characteristic approach to materiality, notably through the use of red ceramic flooring and wooden ceilings—elements seen in his later residential works.

This summary is based on research from the Master’s Dissertation in Architecture and Urbanism titled:

“As Casas de Alcino Soutinho: Estudo das Habitações Unifamiliares entre 1963 a 2003” by Ana Rita Moreira.

Convento das Bernardas Residence is a landmark redevelopment project in Tavira, Algarve, bringing new life to one of Portugal’s most historically significant monastic buildings. Developed by Entreposto Gestão Imobiliária and designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura, one of the most acclaimed architects of our time, the project combines five centuries of heritage with contemporary luxury living. Construction began in September 2009 and is scheduled for completion in late 2011, with a fully furnished show villa available from April 2011 for prospective buyers and investors.

Set within the largest former convent complex in the Algarve and overlooking the protected wetlands of the Ria Formosa and Tavira’s historic saltpans, Convento das Bernardas Residence has already been recognized internationally, winning the Homes Overseas Top Off-Plan Award in 2008. The development will comprise 78 premium residences, ranging from studio apartments to spacious three-bedroom villas, all crafted with high-quality materials and equipped with state-of-the-art telecommunications and home-technology systems.

Residents will enjoy a comprehensive range of modern amenities, including two saltwater swimming pools with Finnish overflow, 24-hour video surveillance, doorman services, and an on-site museum that honors the convent’s cultural legacy. Blending historic architectural features with 21st-century comfort, Convento das Bernardas Residence stands as a benchmark for the future of luxury restoration projects in Portugal.

The Passarela Pedonal de Aveiro (Aveiro Footbridge) was designed by Valdemar Coutinho, a Portuguese architect known for integrating modern design with contextual sensitivity.

The bridge, completed in 2008, connects the two banks of the Canal de São Roque near the city’s train station, linking Aveiro’s historic center with the university and residential areas. Shaped as a graceful steel loop, the pedestrian bridge has become one of the city’s architectural landmarks.

Its distinctive elliptical form creates a continuous, dynamic pathway that invites both movement and pause, offering elevated views of the canals and surrounding landscape. The use of steel and wood decking gives the structure both lightness and warmth, while its elegant geometry reflects Aveiro’s identity as the “Venice of Portugal.”