Architecture between Lisbon and the Alentejo Coast: Contextual Interventions and Essential Materials.
The practice of contemporary architecture in Portugal has increasingly asserted itself through approaches that value integration with the landscape and the judicious use of materials. One example of this trajectory is the work carried out by Sabrab, an architecture office headquartered in Lisbon—originally founded in Elvas in the Alentejo—whose residential projects are spread between the capital and regions such as Comporta and Melides.
In these settings—marked by a strong landscape and heritage identity—Sabrab’s interventions are founded on a careful reading of the site, the enhancement of existing elements, and a restrained formal language. The use of traditional renders and light-coloured surfaces—as evident in their whitewashed houses—strengthens the dialogue between architecture and natural light, while the spatial layout is guided by principles of functionality and environmental comfort.
In the context of architectural firms in Lisbon, Sabrab’s work stands out for its focus on rigorous design and on adapting programs to the specific conditions of each site. Their residential projects—whether in established urban fabric or in rural settings—seek to reconcile materiality with contemporary living requirements.
The continuous presence in territories such as Comporta and Melides—where the challenge often lies in building discreetly within sensitive areas—demonstrates a practice that weaves together domestic scale with environmental and constructive concerns. This approach fosters a coherent dialogue between architecture, landscape, and way of life.
# houses in alentejo
