Designed by Nuno Graça Moura, this set of 12 T2 rowhouses on Rua da Lagoa follows the same architectural concept as his “Bar Code 1” rowhouses, but with a wider design, offering more spacious interiors
From the street view, these rowhouses appear closed and private, but small light yards have been strategically placed to illuminate the sleeping areas while ensuring privacy. The expanded layout provides larger living spaces, allowing for greater flexibility and comfort.
The homes also include outdoor seating areas, designed with roof openings that allow residents to track the sun’s movement throughout the day, enhancing the interplay between light and shadow.
This project was highly recognized internationally, receiving multiple nominations:

2012 Finalist of the “AIT Award 2012”, Hamburg, Germany
2011 Finalist of the “V Prémio ENOR”, Vigo, Spain

The villa is also documented on the architect’s website, showcasing Graça Moura’s refined approach to modern row house design at Bom Sucesso.

T2 (12 units), Lot 286 at Bom Sucesso Resort

Lot 157 at Bom Sucesso Resort

Located on Rua das Oliveiras, Nuno Graça Moura designed a set of four T3 villas, of which three remain unbuilt. These homes follow his signature approach, balancing minimalist architecture with functional living spaces.

In addition to these villas, Nuno Graça Moura played a notable role in Bom Sucesso’s development, designing 13 types of Villas, Row Houses, and commercial buildings. Among his key projects is the iconic “Bar Code” building, along with essential amenities such as the Public Pool, Golf Clubhouse, and Tennis Club.

Lot 52, 65, 66, 77 at Bom Sucesso Resort (3 Unbuilt)

Located on Rua Baixa do Monte Verde, this set of two T3 villas by Nuno Graça Moura continues the architectural rhythm established by his L-shaped villas, maintaining a seamless integration into the landscape. Out of the two planned homes, one remains unbuilt.

Unlike the L-shaped villas, these homes feature a straight, linear layout, aligning with the existing row of residences while preserving the same design language of privacy, open spaces, and natural light. The large garage provides ample parking and storage, adding to the functionality of the design.

These villas, like the others in this collection, feature a green roof, allowing for a discreet presence in the natural surroundings and ensuring unobstructed views for the villas positioned higher on the hill. The white and slightly green façade further enhances the seamless blend with the landscape.

This project received international recognition and was selected for the “V Prémio ENOR” in Vigo, Spain, in 2011. The villa is also documented on the architect’s website, showcasing its contribution to modern and sustainable architecture at Bom Sucesso.

Beyond these villas, Nuno Graça Moura has significantly contributed to Bom Sucesso’s architectural identity, designing various villas, row houses, and commercial buildings, including the “Bar Code” building, Public Pool, Golf Clubhouse, and Tennis Club.

Lot 75, 76 at Bom Sucesso Resort (1 unbuilt)

Designed by Nuno Graça Moura, this set of 13 T3 villas, located on Rua das Oliveiras, follows a cohesive architectural language that blends modern minimalism with functional living spaces. The homes are carefully positioned to maximize natural light while maintaining privacy and a strong connection to the landscape.

Out of the 13 planned villas, three remain unbuilt. The architectural design emphasizes clean lines, open spaces, and large openings, creating a harmonious balance between indoor and outdoor living.

This project gained international recognition and was selected for the “V Prémio ENOR” in Vigo, Spain, in 2011, highlighting its architectural excellence.

Beyond these villas, Nuno Graça Moura contributed significantly to the Bom Sucesso Resort, designing various residential buildings, row houses, and commercial facilities. His key works include the “Bar Code” building, along with essential amenities such as the Public Pool, Golf Clubhouse, and Tennis Club.

Lot 53 – 64, 79 at Bom Sucesso Resort (3 unbuilt)

Designed by Nuno Graça Moura, this set of eight T4 villas, located on Rua Baixa do Monte Verde, follows an L-shaped layout, creating private and sheltered outdoor spaces. Out of the eight planned villas, one remains unbuilt.

Each villa integrates a swimming pool, either in the garden or on the rooftop, depending on the plot’s location. The green roof allows the homes to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, while also providing unobstructed views for the villas positioned higher on the hill. The white and slightly green façade further enhances the harmonious integration with nature.

One of the standout features of these villas is the large garage, offering ample space for multiple vehicles and additional storage, ensuring both convenience and functionality.

This project received international recognition and was selected for the “V Prémio ENOR” in Vigo, Spain, in 2011. The villa is also documented on the architect’s website, showcasing its refined approach to modern, nature-conscious living.

Beyond these villas, Nuno Graça Moura has played a major role in Bom Sucesso’s development, contributing to various villa typologies, row houses, and commercial buildings, including the “Bar Code” building, Public Pool, Golf Clubhouse, and Tennis Club.

T4, Lot 67 – 74 at Bom Sucesso Resort (1 unbuilt)

T4, Lot 80 – 87 at Bom Sucesso Resort (2 not built)

Designed by Nuno Graça Moura, this set of 30 T2 rowhouses on Rua da Pereiras is a striking example of modern and functional architecture. The Bom Sucesso community has nicknamed this project the “Bar Code” rowhouses, as the alternating facades create a striped pattern resembling the codes scanned at supermarkets when viewed from a distance.

Each house features a private garage, ensuring practicality and convenience. The design prioritizes natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor integration, with large glass windows and skylights that illuminate both interior spaces and private courtyards on the north and south sides. These courtyards, covered with greenery, create a natural extension of the living areas.

A key highlight of these rowhouses is the outdoor seating area, designed with a roof opening that allows residents to follow the sun’s movement throughout the day, enhancing the connection between architecture and nature.

This project gained international recognition, earning several awards:
2010 Winner of the “BAUWELT Preis 2011” – category “Living Spaces”
2009 Finalist of the “IV Prémio ENOR”, Vigo, Spain
2009 Selected for the exhibition “Habitar Portugal 2006-2008”

As Nuno Graça Moura describes:
“All the properties will be naturally lit, either using skylights – in the interior areas – or large glass windows for private courtyards to the north and south sides. These courtyards will be covered with greenery.”

This project remains one of the most recognizable and appreciated rowhouse designs at Bom Sucesso, reflecting Graça Moura’s mastery in balancing modern aesthetics, functionality, and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape.

T2 (30 Units) Lot 152 at Bom Sucesso Resort

Designed by Nuno Brandão Costa, this project consists of seven T4 villas, of which four were completed, and two remain unbuilt. Situated along Rua da Lagoa in Bom Sucesso, Óbidos, the design embraces a distinctive spatial interplay between living and functional areas, emphasizing architectural clarity, integration with the landscape, and controlled openness.

As the architect describes, “Characteristic of this type of construction is the successful interplay of living spaces and functional areas, which are covered by a roof garden in the form of a large planted stone slab, despite the separation. The patios in front of the bedrooms provide access to the roof garden.”

T4, Lots 322-238 at Bom Sucesso Resort (2 unbuilt)

Manuel Graça Dias and Egan José Vieira’s 13 Round Houses at Bom Sucesso
Designed by Manuel Graça Dias and Egas Vieira, the 13 Round Houses at Bom Sucesso present a bold and innovative approach to residential architecture. Located at the bottom of Phase 2, on Rua da Lagoa, these T3/T4 villas were intended to offer privacy, individuality, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. However, only four were partially built, while nine remain unbuilt.

A Unique Circular Design
Inspired by the primordial concept of the home as a shelter, the architects sought to merge a simple L-shaped layout with a circular form, creating a harmonious balance between structure and fluidity. As Dias and Vieira explain:

“This type of innovative construction lies in the desire for individuality and privacy. We planned to ‘merge’ a simple L-shaped structure with a circle, whereby the required functions could be easily integrated. The circle is the most independent of all shapes. Two circles lying next to each other only have one point of contact.”

This circular arrangement defines the architecture of the houses, enclosing the central courtyard, which acts as both a visual and functional core. The open floor plan places living spaces in one section and private quarters in another, ensuring a natural flow of movement and light.

Blending Privacy with Open Views
These houses were designed to be both open and protected, addressing the need for seclusion within a resort setting. Instead of traditional walls separating properties, the architects planned natural vegetation as dividers, maintaining a seamless integration with the landscape.

Large windows and vertical brise-soleils filter light while ensuring privacy.
Flat green roofs were introduced to enhance integration with the landscape, while some homes were designed to have elevated pools, allowing for views over the Óbidos Lagoon.
The central courtyard connects to an upper terrace, featuring a solarium and pool, with skylights filtering water reflections into lower-level living areas.
As Graça Dias and Vieira state:

“Very concentrated, based on the egocentric circular shapes in which they are inscribed, these two variants are based on the terrain in such a way that the different visual alignments escape between the neighboring buildings, freeing up all the remaining open space around them for an autonomous landscaping treatment.”

An Architectural Statement Yet to be Completed
Despite its visionary concept, the Round Houses remain largely unfinished, leaving many of their spatial and design intentions unrealized. However, their inclusion in architectural publications, such as Arquitectos Portugueses Série 2 and A Casa de Quem Faz as Casas (No. 6 on Manuel Graça Dias), highlights their significance in contemporary Portuguese architecture.

Even in their incomplete state, these villas represent a radical approach to residential living, showcasing the philosophy of enclosure, openness, and natural integration that defined Dias and Vieira’s architectural legacy.

Lots 333 -348

This second home in Melides is a masterful blend of modern architecture and natural integration, designed to offer both communal and private spaces. The main house, centered around a serene courtyard, features a spacious living room, a functional kitchen, and a luxurious master bedroom. Surrounding this central hub are three smaller buildings, each providing a private bedroom for guests, strategically distanced to ensure privacy and tranquility.

The architect’s vision was to create a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the natural landscape. The use of exposed concrete walls and wooden floors gives the structures a raw, organic feel, while the buildings themselves do not directly open to the landscape. Instead, they connect to two distinct spaces at their ends, which serve as transitional zones between the indoors and outdoors. These spaces, reminiscent of both gazebos and courtyards, frame the surrounding landscape, which is lushly covered in reeds, offering a sense of seclusion and immersion in nature.

A standout feature of the property is the pool, ingeniously designed by transforming a natural topographic line into a water containment surface. This design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also emphasizes the seamless integration of the structure with its environment. The architect’s philosophy centers on creating spaces that respect and reflect their natural surroundings, providing a retreat that is both contemplative and connected to the earth.

The Santo Tirso call centre and office building is a striking example of modern architectural design, situated at the intersection of urban and rural landscapes. Designed to harmonize with its surroundings, the building serves as a bridge between the bustling city and the serene agricultural fields. The architect envisioned a space that not only fulfills its functional purpose but also enhances the experience of those who work within it.

The building’s structure is composed of several interconnected volumes that orbit around a central void, creating a dynamic and fluid spatial arrangement. This central void is the heart of the building, housing approximately 600 telephone answering stations. The design emphasizes openness and connectivity, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among employees.

Natural light plays a crucial role in the building’s design, with courtyards and interstitial spaces allowing sunlight to permeate the interior. This thoughtful integration of light creates a varied and engaging atmosphere throughout the day, enhancing the well-being and productivity of its occupants. The architect’s philosophy centers on creating spaces that are not only functional but also uplifting and inspiring.

The building’s exterior is a testament to its integration with the landscape, using materials that reflect the natural surroundings. The design respects the site’s agricultural heritage while introducing a contemporary aesthetic that complements the existing environment. The interplay between the building and its setting is a key aspect of its architectural significance, demonstrating a seamless blend of form and function.

In the architect’s words, “The building is a dialogue between the urban and the rural, a place where the rhythm of the city meets the tranquility of the fields. It is designed to be a living organism, responsive to the needs of its users and the environment.” This vision is evident in every aspect of the building, from its innovative layout to its thoughtful use of materials and light.

The school complex in Vila Nova da Barquinha, designed by the renowned architectural duo Aires Mateus, stands as a testament to minimalist design and functional integration. Conceived as a cohesive unit, the complex harmoniously blends educational and community facilities, including a school, auditorium, gym, library, and exhibition hall. The architects’ vision was to create a space where each function is distinct yet interconnected, fostering a sense of community while maintaining autonomy.

The design philosophy centers on uniformity and simplicity, with Manuel and Francisco Aires Mateus describing it as their most “radical” project. They emphasized that “the spaces are all similar—they have the same doors, windows, materials, and details; the only thing that varies is the proportions.” This approach ensures a seamless visual and functional flow throughout the complex, where the repetition of elements creates a calming and cohesive environment.

The building’s interaction with its surroundings is thoughtfully considered, with each facility accessible from the outside, allowing for independent use and enhancing the complex’s integration with the town. The use of natural materials and clean lines reflects the architects’ commitment to sustainability and timeless design. The spatial experience within the complex is marked by an abundance of natural light and open spaces, encouraging interaction and engagement among users.

Overall, the Vila Nova da Barquinha school complex is a striking example of how architecture can serve both educational and communal purposes, embodying a design that is both innovative and deeply rooted in its context.