

Portico House
Status:
In Development
Year:
2023-2025
Type:
Private Residence
Size:
740 m²
Client:
Private
Location:
Girona, Spain






Portico House is a minimalist intervention located on the forest edge of southern Sweden’s Skåne region, bordering the protected landscape of Söderåsen National Park. Designed as both a seasonal retreat and working studio for a Copenhagen-based painter, the project responds to a desire for solitude, clarity, and immersion in nature. The architecture does not seek to dominate its setting — rather, it recedes quietly into the rhythm of light, weather, and time.
Portico House is a minimalist intervention located on the forest edge of southern Sweden’s Skåne region, bordering the protected landscape of Söderåsen National Park. Designed as both a seasonal retreat and working studio for a Copenhagen-based painter, the project responds to a desire for solitude, clarity, and immersion in nature. The architecture does not seek to dominate its setting — rather, it recedes quietly into the rhythm of light, weather, and time.
The design process began with a careful study of site conditions. Dense woodland encloses the western edge, while open meadows stretch toward the east. In response, the building adopts a long, narrow footprint aligned east to west — allowing for optimal daylighting and soft transitions between interior zones. Spaces are organized sequentially: the north-facing studio receives cool, even light ideal for painting, while the south-facing living space opens to a wooden terrace that catches afternoon sun and extends the interior into the surrounding field. Daily life follows the movement of light — from the quiet east-facing bedroom at sunrise to the golden shadows cast across the workspace at dusk.
The design process began with a careful study of site conditions. Dense woodland encloses the western edge, while open meadows stretch toward the east. In response, the building adopts a long, narrow footprint aligned east to west — allowing for optimal daylighting and soft transitions between interior zones. Spaces are organized sequentially: the north-facing studio receives cool, even light ideal for painting, while the south-facing living space opens to a wooden terrace that catches afternoon sun and extends the interior into the surrounding field. Daily life follows the movement of light — from the quiet east-facing bedroom at sunrise to the golden shadows cast across the workspace at dusk.
Selected images are used to illustrate the quality and character of luxury residences recognised by WLRA. All project photos remain the copyright of their respective designers, studios and photographers, and are shown here for presentation purposes only. They may not be copied or reused without permission.
Selected images are used to illustrate the quality and character of luxury residences recognised by WLRA. All project photos remain the copyright of their respective designers, studios and photographers, and are shown here for presentation purposes only. They may not be copied or reused without permission.










Portico House is a minimalist intervention located on the forest edge of southern Sweden’s Skåne region, bordering the protected landscape of Söderåsen National Park. Designed as both a seasonal retreat and working studio for a Copenhagen-based painter, the project responds to a desire for solitude, clarity, and immersion in nature. The architecture does not seek to dominate its setting — rather, it recedes quietly into the rhythm of light, weather, and time.
The design process began with a careful study of site conditions. Dense woodland encloses the western edge, while open meadows stretch toward the east. In response, the building adopts a long, narrow footprint aligned east to west — allowing for optimal daylighting and soft transitions between interior zones. Spaces are organized sequentially: the north-facing studio receives cool, even light ideal for painting, while the south-facing living space opens to a wooden terrace that catches afternoon sun and extends the interior into the surrounding field. Daily life follows the movement of light — from the quiet east-facing bedroom at sunrise to the golden shadows cast across the workspace at dusk.
Selected images are used to illustrate the quality and character of luxury residences recognised by WLRA. All project photos remain the copyright of their respective designers, studios and photographers, and are shown here for presentation purposes only. They may not be copied or reused without permission.
Project team:
Clara Moreau, Tomás Ortega
Collaborating architects:
Pereira Miguel Arquitectos
Building physics:
EcoStructures Consulting
Interior designer:
Forme Interiors
Photography:
Pablo Garcia Studio
Honors:
European Architecture Prize (2024), Dezeen Hospitality Project of the Year (2024)
(Other works)



