Atelier RUA unveils light pink Casa Galamares in Portugal
Atelier RUA arquitectos’ single-family house in Galamares, Portugal, is defined by a light pink exterior that gives the project a clear and memorable identity. Located around 30 minutes from Lisbon with open views over the Serra de Sintra, the project dubbed Casa Galamares is organized across two above-ground floors and a basement, structured around a central courtyard and complemented by a panoramic wraparound terrace that frames the surrounding landscape.
atelier RUA’s single-family house in Galamares
Pink Envelope Shapes Space and Light
The pale pink tone envelops the entire exterior, transforming the house into a singular architectural volume set against dense greenery. Rather than acting as a decorative finish, the color softens the building’s mass and heightens the perception of light and shadow, allowing the architecture to shift subtly throughout the day while remaining distinct within its natural context.
The building takes the form of a near-square volume, from which the northern corner is cut along a diagonal defined by the site boundary. This subtraction introduces a key opening toward the garden and breaks the otherwise inward-looking character of the ground floor. Entry is made from the southern corner, leading directly into the central courtyard, which becomes the spatial and social heart of the house. Arranged around this courtyard, the kitchen, living room, and dining room form a continuous open-plan environment. Structural elements such as exposed beams and the staircase subtly articulate different areas without interrupting visual continuity, reinforcing a fluid relationship between interior spaces and the outdoor core. Privacy from the surroundings is largely achieved through this inward-facing organization.
a light pink exterior gives the project a clear and memorable identity
Terraces and Light-Filled Basements Extend Living Spaces
The first floor adopts an L-shaped layout and accommodates four bedrooms oriented east and west, with the corner rooms opening onto a shared terrace. Wrapping around the building to the east, south, and west, this elevated outdoor space offers continuous sunlight and panoramic views of the Serra de Sintra, including the Pena and Monserrate palaces. Integrated seating, planting beds, wooden shutters, and a steel pergola supporting climbing vegetation enhance both comfort and use.
Below ground, the basement mirrors the upper floor’s footprint and opens onto two patios to the east and west, bringing natural light and ventilation into the lower level. Through its consistent use of color, compact geometry, and carefully choreographed indoor–outdoor spaces, Casa Galamares presents a restrained yet expressive approach to contemporary domestic architecture in the Sintra landscape.
the structure is complemented by a panoramic wraparound terrace
the house is located around 30 minutes from Lisbon with open views over the Serra de Sintra
the pale pink tone envelops the entire exterior
elevated outdoor spaces offer continuous sunlight and panoramic views