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Villa Solaris

PortugalContractors: Modesto & Teixeira Estucadores - nPoente

Villa Solaris - Gypsum International Trophy 2025

Project description

Located in privileged urbanization at Algarve, Southern Portugal, this luxury villa stands out for its unique ability to be abstract, contemporary, and functional.
One of the greatest challenges In modern architecture is the capacity to combine aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. That is precisely what is reflected in the project highlighted here. A design that not only captures contemporary trends but also looks to the future, responding intelligently and innovatively to the needs of the built environment.

Main information

Building size

315 m²

Building purpose / type

Residential

Architect name

Orlando Mendinhos
& Bruno d’Oliveira

Contractors

Modesto & Teixeira Estucadores

Company name: Modesto & Teixeira Estucadores

Main Representative: Pedro Teixeira

Number of collaborators: 10

Specialties: Plastering services, False ceilings, Partitions, Acoustic insulation

Founded in: 1986

Biography: Modesto & Teixeira Estucadores is a company based in Albufeira, Algarve. With over three decades of experience in the industry, and despite having a small team, the company delivers high-quality coatings and finishing solutions. It is recognized for its commitment to excellence, serving both private clients and businesses.

nPoente

Company name: nPoente

Main Representative: Orlando Mendinhos

Other Representative: Bruno d’Oliveira

Number of collaborators: 4

Specialties: Architecture & Urbanism, Housing, Tourism, Commerce, Services and Restoration

Founded in: 2012

Biography: Consolidated in the art of design, nPoente’s mission is to create bold, functional, aesthetically refined, and architecturally sustainable spaces. With a creative technical team, endowed with an integrated vision in the areas of Consultancy, Design, Project Management, and Budgeting. It values Trust, which, combined with the accumulated know-how of the technical team, enables them to support the entire real estate process, from the investment plan to the “final client,” ensuring the Excellence of each development.

Key Challenges

The Inspiration: Integrating Design and Functionality
- The challenge was clear—to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable building that reflected current trends while seamlessly integrating into the landscape.
- The initial idea stemmed particularly from the potential of “light” at the location. On one hand, it was about harnessing natural light inside, but on the other, it was essential to protect the space from the excessive heat caused by strong sun exposure.
- Thus, the first innovative solution emerged—inclined projections on the walls and porticoes, strategically placed to shield the glazed surfaces and provide shade. This was not merely an aesthetic choice but a functional necessity—to reduce direct solar radiation and improve the building’s thermal performance.
- Of mixed structure, the villa combines reinforced concrete with metal profiles to discreetly integrate the load-bearing structure into the framing of the glass panels. This approach ensures the desired formal lightness and spatial transparency while meeting the comfort and durability requirements of residential construction.

Key Achievements

Contemporary Design and Sustainability: A Work that Combines Functionality with Style
- One of the most striking features of this project is the inclined projections that extend along the walls and porticoes. These are not merely aesthetic elements but carefully devised solutions that seamlessly integrate design and functionality.
- Constructed with structural metal profiles, the projections are clad with Glasroc® X boards and the webertherm classic system (ETICS), delivering an ideal balance of thermal protection and durability.
- The design is not only visually bold but also technically and strategically advanced: the projections serve as a shading system for the glazed areas exposed on the east, south, and west facades.
- But the success of this project goes beyond technical expertise. The ability to capture current trends while projecting into the future is one of its greatest achievements. The use of modern materials and innovative solutions is not only a response to present needs but also a way to ensure the building remains relevant and efficient for years to come.

Sustainability in the project

This smart solution not only enhances interior thermal comfort by shielding against excessive heat – a functional necessity – but also optimizes the building’s energy performance, reducing the need for artificial cooling.
From a functionality perspective, this project is a clear example of how design can go beyond mere aesthetics. The inclined projections not only enhance the building’s appearance but also serve a practical purpose: strategic shading and protection of glass surfaces result in a solution that is both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient.
In today’s context, where environmental concerns and energy efficiency take precedence, this type of architectural approach is increasingly essential. What is at stake is not just visual impact but the responsibility to create spaces that minimize ecological footprints and adapt to the evolving needs of society.
With a strong focus on the seamless integration of the villa into its surroundings, the architectural expression of the walls, roofs, and oblique eaves opens southward to the landscape through expansive glazed surfaces. These contrast with the white opacity of the villa’s northern facade, necessitating the development of customized construction systems.
From metal structures and glazing frames to the shaping of Glasroc® X plasterboards, thermal insulation, and finishing touches, every element incorporates innovative, modern, and sustainable solutions. This meticulous approach resulted in a residence that stands out for its aesthetics and efficiency, without compromising on the quality and functionality of the construction.

Saint-Gobain products & systems

Glasroc® X product

Inclined projections on the walls and porticoes

Discover

webetherm classic system

Benefits

Superior aesthetic and design

Glasroc® X plasterboard

Energy efficiency

External Thermal Insulation System (ETICS) – webertherm classic

Exterior wall

weberdecor F+/M+

Architect’s testimonial

Orlando Mendinhos

Every architectural work has its own story, one that goes beyond the mere construction of a set of walls and a roof. It is a journey of ideas, choices, and decisions that arise throughout the continuous process of seeking a solution that combines aesthetics with functionality and sustainability.

Architect’s testimonial

Bruno d’Oliveira

This project is an excellent example of how contemporary architecture can, and should, be in harmony with the demands of the future. Functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability go hand in hand, creating a building that is not only visually striking but also effective and sustainable. In the end, it is this balance between innovation and responsibility that makes the project truly successful.

Saint-Gobain Team

Nuno Santos

Photographer’s name

Diogo Moreira

Website

COUNTRY WEBSITE