Ombria Townhouses

Loulé, Algarve, Portugal

2021–2017

Ombria is a property in the Algarve hinterland, between Tor and Querença villages, with a 153 hectares’ master plan under development and phased construction. Besides an 18-hole golf course, Ombria Resort includes a 5-star hotel, spa and conference centre, in addition to villas and other residential. With extensive citrus groves, fig and carob trees, small farms and villages, the dramatic landscape and rich bio-diversity of this estate includes a sizable watercourse and a series of archaeological remnants related to waterworks and farming.

Within the master plan, the plot for the townhouses is located on the South and Southeast ridge of a mountain with considerable steepness, in three distinct clusters. The design approach suggests a series of broken down volumes positioned on different parterres and interconnected by a narrow and swirling cobblestone road that forms small and informal squares at the various levels.

With this in mind, the clusters have been devised in a village-like approach generating a cohesive setting wherein the design negotiates the terrain with the different layout requirements. Unlike the hotel, the townhouses all have rooftop terraces to take advantage of the extensive views and the solarium. Standing on a plinth, these two-storey townhouses have their living rooms and kitchen on the elevated ground-floor adjacent to a small garden and pool, while the bedrooms and master suite are on the floor above. In terms of finishing materials, the buildings stand on a shale stone plinth and their facades are made up of a rusticated off-white plaster with the fenestration framed by a white stucco and colourfully tinted wood shutters.

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Location: Loulé (Algarve), Portugal
Developer: Pontos Group OY (Finland)
Project Brief: Units from 2-bdr to 3-bdr
Gross Construction Area: 14,280 sq. m
Project Status: 2021 (Detail Design)