Overlooking the lake and golf courses of Quinta do Lago, in Portugal’s Algarve region, Monte Golf 3A is a contemporary residence designed for family life and entertaining guests. The project, by Jutta Hoehn – JSH Algarve Arquitectura Lda, responds to its surroundings through clean-cut volumes, expansive openings and a layout designed to maintain a constant connection with the outdoors. “The brief called for the creation of a timeless home, with generous spaces for family life and entertaining guests, while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding landscape,” explains project architect Anna Weyland. From the entrance on the western side, a long visual axis extends through the villa to the living area, framing views of the lake beyond the glazing. The living room, dining area and kitchen form the heart of the home, while the double-height living space enhances both natural light and the sense of spaciousness. The ground floor also accommodates several suites and a study, while the upper level is primarily dedicated to the master bedroom, which opens onto a shaded private terrace, along with two additional suites. The lower level houses a gym, a spa with sauna and massage room, a cinema room and a bar. Outdoors, an infinity pool, a second pool on the rooftop, several terraces and a covered outdoor kitchen directly connected to the indoor kitchen extend the living spaces into the landscape. “Almost every room opens onto a terrace or the garden, creating a fluid transition between spaces,” explains Anna Weyland. The east-facing orientation allows the living room, kitchen, master suite and panoramic terrace to benefit from the morning light and enjoy views over the lake. High-performance glazing, pergolas and shading systems contribute to thermal comfort. Completed in nineteen months, the villa has also achieved an A energy rating, with approximately 77% of its energy coming from renewable sources. Continuity between indoors and outdoors is reinforced by the choice of a single surface material: Secret Stone by Cotto d’Este, in the Precious Beige shade and with a thickness of 14 mm. The collection was used for indoor and outdoor flooring, façades, terraces, bathrooms, the wellness area and swimming pool cladding. “We were looking for a calm, understated palette, with warm, neutral tones that would blend naturally into the landscape,” the architect explains. The Honed and Natural finishes respond to different functional requirements: smoother and more luminous indoors, and more textured in outdoor areas and spaces exposed to water, where safety and slip resistance are essential. Low maintenance requirements and resistance to moisture, stains and weathering also make porcelain stoneware particularly suitable for this coastal setting. When the large sliding glass doors are opened, concealed tracks and continuous flooring minimise the perception of boundaries, establishing a seamless relationship between architecture, materials and landscape.
