Tolo House by Alvaro Leite Siza

The “Tolo House” build by Alvaro Leite Siza is based in Lugar das Carvalhinhas, Portugal. The house is build on a sharply inclined hill. Its fragmentation, necessary due to the steep topography, transforms the whole into a composition of small linked and interconnected volumes, creating an unevenness that allows for a more secure and rational use of the lot. In this way the house’s various functions are clarified with each elevation corresponding to a single compartment.


The roof functions simultaneously as pavement support for the gardens: similar to the traditional threshing floors and patios in the northern regions of the country with hilly terrain.





14 Responses to “Tolo House by Alvaro Leite Siza”
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May 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I guess there is no elevator
Seriously though – cool use of working with the land.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hi,
Indeed is always good to see a good interaction between nature and construction.
Two other well known portuguese architects are :
Tomás Taveira and Siza Vieira.
Have a good week,
José
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:49 am
what is the exterior concrete?
February 26th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Another Siza CNB (Concrete Nuclear Bunker) blighting the beautiful Portuguese countryside – OK I like the innovation and interior but not the interaction with the local environment. Looks out of place in the very narrow plot and with houses close by. Looks like the developer has done an in-fill job. Also surrounding terrain looks susceptible to being washed away by the heavy rain which occurs in the North of Portugal during the Winter.
April 14th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
need to have good legs !
April 15th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
[...] …Alvaro Leite Sizas Tolo House hätte meiner Meinung nach auch einen guten Paten abgegeben [...]
May 4th, 2009 at 7:55 am
beautiful, all fingers up for great alvaro!!!
August 9th, 2009 at 3:15 am
[...] Alvaro Leite Siza / F&S GuerraRelated Article : Tolo House / Alvaro Leite Siza Tolo House by Alvaro Leite Siza Tolo House Alvaro Leite SizaRelated [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I Like A House is: Tolo House By: Alvaro Leite Siza. I LOVE IT!!!
January 4th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
[...] House, the inspiration of architect Alvaro Leite Siza, is hard on the knees but easy on the eyes. The unusual structure is buried in the ground like a [...]
December 9th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
[...] -Via. Cube Me [...]
January 12th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
[...] Staircase Shaped Slope House Design in Portugal By Prisa, on January 12th, 2011 The name of this house is the “Tolo House” and is located on a steep slope in Penafiel, Portugal. This slope site however, should be the most challenging yet inspiring aspect in building this house. The architect Alvaro Leite Siza built this house in a shape that is always related with steep slope and human, staircase. It is not only the staircases that present from the top to the bottom of this house’s exterior, but each volume of this stratified house does look like one, a big staircase. What a creative idea.! Inside these volumes you could find three bedrooms, a shared bath, a living room and dining room, kitchen and pantry. While the modern exterior of this house boats raw concrete style which blends and looks so natural in this landscape, the modern interior of this house is finished in clean white palette and is accented with wood. And for aesthetic purpose, you could also find at least one floating staircase design just as its exterior has. And just as the first picture has shown, the beautiful valley and mountain views are too great to ignore, so the architect framed those views in large windows, these windows also provide natural lighting as well. Via. Cube Me [...]
August 1st, 2011 at 8:46 am
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November 18th, 2011 at 11:10 am
[...] Tolo House by architect Alvaro Leite Siza is a contemporary home design that sits on a steep slope in Penafiel, Portugal. It’s the site’s unique topography that dictates this home interesting composition of multiple individual yet interconnected volumes, which allow this design to naturally unfold along the rocky terrain. Three bedrooms, a shared bath, a living room, dining room, kitchen and pantry complete the home’s communal living areas. Between these various elevations are an outdoor swimming pool and covered patios, connected by a footpath and stairs leading up the hillside. The exterior of this modern residence boasts a cool, edgy appeal with its concrete facade, sharp geometric forms and metal doors. Interiors are quite contrary, boasting a minimal laid-back softness about them with a palate of white accented by rich wood doors, interior floors and trim, and a floating staircase that is as functional as it is beautiful. The roof of this innovative home is paved and accommodates a garden with a view of the valley. Alvaro Leite Sizavia Cube Me [...]