Cypress House

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Sintra > Bairro da Fonte Longa

Location

Located in the Fonte Longa neighborhood, in the town and municipality of Sintra, Casa do Cipreste stands on the slope of the Castle of the Moors. This place, once known as "The Quarry" due to its former extractive activity, has been transformed into a space of tranquility and nature, still retaining the presence of rocky outcrops that tell its story. Its position offers a unique setting within the surrounding landscape of the Sintra Mountains.

Raul Lino's Vision

Casa do Cipreste is one of the most striking works by architect Raul Lino, a prominent figure in 20th-century Portuguese architecture and the great mind behind the idealized "Portuguese House". Designed and built between 1912 and 1914 for his own seasonal residence, this house was a deeply personal project, where Raul Lino explored and materialized his theories and influences more freely. The choice of name, "Casa do Cipreste" (House of the Cypress), symbolizes his own personality, isolated and imposing, just like the tree.

Architecture in Harmony with Nature

This house stands out for its organic and unique architecture, which notably articulates with the steep slope of the terrain. With an irregular plan and five floors developing at different heights and volumes, the building seems to "curl up like a cat in the sun," in the architect's own words. The staggered roofs, with shades of green and brown, were designed to blend with the natural environment, dissolving the building into the landscape. The integration of traditional elements, such as the tiles designed by Raul Lino and applied to the walls, complements the structural innovation.

A Space of Intimacy and Light

The interior design of Casa do Cipreste was meticulously planned to promote privacy and seclusion. The main entrance, discreet and camouflaged, reveals a private world immediately upon entry, marked by an interior patio where the sound of water from a small fountain conveys a sense of life and movement. The organization of spaces, with distinct room shapes such as an oval dining room and an octagonal living room, is designed for a fluid and harmonious living experience. Light, a fundamental element in the design, dances across the facades and interiors throughout the day, enhancing the house's atmosphere and the views of the surrounding landscape.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt