hpa arquitetura harnesses disused corten steel

Casa Corten by HPA Arquitetura is a private residence in Portugal shaped by the remains of a former timber factory and the steep contours of its site. The project takes its name from the oxidized steel sheets left behind after the factory fell into ruin, using these fragments as both material reference and point of departure.

The design approach for Casa Corten HPA begins with close attention to what already existed on the plot. Fragmented volumes follow the natural topography, allowing the architecture to settle into the slope with a measured presence. This broken massing reduces visual impact while maintaining a clear architectural identity tied to the site’s industrial memory.

images © Ivo Tavares

casa corten responds to the sunny, sloping site

The steep incline and east-facing orientation shaped HPA Arquitetura‘s core decisions with the design of its Casa Corten. Green roofs extend across both levels, visually merging the building with the terrain and allowing the volumes to read as sculpted landforms rather than imposed objects.

Primary openings face west to capture passive solar gains, while the house is gently lifted from the ground plane to allow daylight to reach the lower level. This elevation preserves native vegetation and places the garden at the center of the spatial experience, connecting levels vertically and organizing movement through the site.

Casa Corten by HPA Arquitetura rises from the ruins of a former timber factory in Portugal

the corten-steel brise-soleil

The upper floor recedes along the topographical line, reducing its presence from the adjacent path and increasing privacy. Fully glazed facades frame long views across the landscape and draw consistent daylight deep into the plan.

On the southern elevation, a perforated corten steel brise-soleil moderates sun exposure while filtering views from outside. The screen reinforces the building’s material identity and echoes the industrial remnants that originally occupied the site in Portugal.

Material choices reflect a commitment to continuity with the site’s past. Corten steel wraps the exterior and appears selectively inside, most prominently within the entrance hall and private suites. Its warm, oxidized surface contrasts with exposed concrete marked by irregular texture and natural staining.

fragmented volumes follow the natural slope to minimize impact on the terrain

interiors overlook the portuguese landscape

Inside Casa Corten, spatial organization favors openness and long sightlines toward the surrounding landscape. The entrance hall operates as a vertical connector, linking the private lower level with the social spaces above through a sequence defined by corten, concrete, and wood.

Four suites occupy the lower floor, each oriented toward the garden. Above, the kitchen, dining, and living areas sit beneath a sharply pitched roof that expands the interior volume and opens views in multiple directions across the site.

Environmental performance informs both architectural and landscape decisions. Green roofs, rainwater collection, photovoltaic panels, deciduous planting for seasonal shading, and integrated home automation support an energy-conscious approach aligned with the climate of Portugal.

west facing openings support passive solar gain and controlled daylight

the house is lifted from the ground to preserve native vegetation and admit light below