The Dorfler Residence is situated on Meiya Beach in Lagos, within a traditional 1990s residential neighborhood. Its striking design distinguishes it from the surrounding environment. The building’s dynamic, curved form resembles a telescope pointing towards the sea, creating a captivating landmark within the urban setting.
This residence maximizes panoramic views of Meiya Praia Bay while seamlessly integrating into the urban fabric and maintaining harmony with nearby buildings. Its upward-flowing silhouette fosters a symbiotic relationship between the building volumes and creates a privacy buffer between indoor and outdoor areas. The design respects the site’s natural environment, landform, and urban context, leveraging these elements to highlight the building’s unique shape through a natural exploration of architectural components. The two ‘telephoto lenses’ of the building pay homage to the sea view and serve as its most striking feature.
The design prioritizes fluidity between public and private spaces over traditional landscape views, reversing the usual spatial arrangement: all public areas are located on the upper floor, while private spaces occupy the lower floor. This inversion allows the building’s defining characteristics to be experienced from within, fostering a harmonious indoor-outdoor relationship and enhancing spatial coexistence.
The most intimate and warmest spaces are located on the first floor, housing the entrance, bedrooms, and bathrooms. An outdoor terrace connects directly to the house, functioning as a green base contrasting with the prominent white volume. On the south side, a passage leads to the swimming pool, complemented by a covered outdoor terrace that provides shade and limits sun exposure. The second floor accommodates public spaces including the living room, dining room, and kitchen. An outdoor staircase links the first floor’s private spaces to the upper public areas and outdoor zones, facilitating comfortable circulation.
The basement level contains the most utilitarian spaces, including garages, technical service rooms, storage areas, and laundry facilities. Despite their discreet nature, these rooms feature an indoor courtyard that ensures ample natural light reaches the basement.
Natural light is a key focus throughout the home. Windows are thoughtfully positioned to create varying shadows that change with the shifting sunlight throughout the day in southern Portugal.
△ Underground Floor Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ South Elevation View
△ North Elevation View
△ East Elevation View
△ West Elevation View
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Lagos, Portugal
Designer: Vitor Vilhena Architects
Area: 600 m²
Year: 2020
Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Focus, Agape, Living Ceramics, Binova, Bosch, PARANORAMAH
Photography: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
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