House of Serralves

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Mouteira

Location

The Serralves House stands in the city of Porto, specifically in the Mouteira area, an enclave where the tranquility of a manicured landscape meets urban dynamism. Its position offers an atmosphere of serenity, allowing visitors to experience a cultural and architectural refuge within the metropolis, where the house integrates harmoniously with its immediate gardens.

Situated in the district of Porto, municipality of Porto, and within the locality of Porto itself, the Serralves House benefits from an accessibility that makes it a notable point of interest, inviting exploration of its intrinsic value and its carefully designed surroundings.

Art Deco Architecture and Design

The Serralves House is one of the most emblematic examples of Art Deco architecture in Portugal. Designed by the visionary architect José Marques da Silva in the 1930s, this residence embodies an intrinsic elegance and geometric rigor that characterize the style.

Its conception showcases a remarkable combination of volumes, the use of sober lines, and meticulous attention to detail. The chosen materials, the way natural light is integrated into the interior spaces, and the fluidity of transitions between rooms reveal an advanced architectural thinking for its time, lending the house an atmosphere of distinction and timeless modernity.

History and Cultural Significance

Built between 1932 and 1944 for the Count of Vizela, Carlos Alberto Cabral, the Serralves House was conceived as a luxurious private residence, reflecting the tastes and lifestyle of the high society of the period. Its trajectory led it to transform into a public space of great cultural relevance, bearing witness to the evolution of Portuguese architecture and society.

Its preservation and current function allow visitors to delve into the recent past, where they can appreciate not only the architectural mastery but also the experience of an era through its interior spaces and its relationship with the exterior, making it an unmissable landmark in Porto's cultural and heritage landscape.

Harmony with the Surrounding Landscape

One of the most unique aspects of the Serralves House is its deep and intrinsic connection with the surrounding landscape. Marques da Silva's project was not limited to the construction of the building but extended to the design of a garden that functions as a natural and harmonious extension of the architecture itself.

The large windows and balconies invite the outdoors in, creating a visual continuity between the living spaces and the natural elements. The house's placement on the land was designed to optimize light incidence and perspectives on the immediate green spaces, underscoring the scenic value of the ensemble and the intention to create an environment where architecture and nature coexist in perfect symbiosis.

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