Context is More Than Location
When we speak of context, we don’t simply refer to a project's geographical coordinates. True contextual design requires understanding multiple layers: the history of a site, its material traditions, the urban fabric, environmental conditions, and even intangible cultural cues.
Take, for example, our Casa Alta project — a private residence perched on a hillside in Southern Europe. Rather than imposing a new visual statement, we began by analyzing the local building typologies, wind patterns, and seasonal light. Local stone walls, originally built for agricultural terraces, informed the base structure. The color palette echoed the muted tones of the surrounding olive groves. Even the building’s massing was shaped to follow the natural slope, minimizing earthwork and visual impact.
Materials as a Language of Place
Material selection is one of the most immediate and tactile ways to root a project in its context. We view materials not just as surface treatments, but as carriers of local identity and craftsmanship.
In Sombra Hotel, located on Portugal’s rugged coastline, we worked closely with local artisans to source stone from nearby quarries and reclaimed timber from derelict farmhouses. These materials bring with them stories of the landscape and its people. Their textures and imperfections add depth, authenticity, and a human touch that manufactured alternatives often lack.
Moreover, using locally sourced materials reduces environmental impact — cutting down on transportation emissions and supporting regional economies. In this sense, material choice is both a design decision and an ethical commitment.
Designing for Human Experience
Context-driven design is not just about respecting the external environment — it also shapes how people experience space. Architecture that listens to its surroundings creates atmospheres that feel intuitive, comfortable, and connected.
Our approach to interior spaces mirrors this philosophy. Light, airflow, acoustics, and spatial rhythm are carefully considered to align with how people live, work, or gather in that specific environment. For example, in our urban co-working project Studio Fold, the interplay of daylight through existing industrial windows defined the layout of shared and private zones.
By allowing the qualities of the space — not a predefined style — to guide design decisions, we create environments that feel naturally "in place" and resonate with users on a sensory level.
The Future of Contextual Architecture
In an era where global trends often lead to generic, “copy-paste” designs, we believe context-driven architecture offers an antidote to sameness. As environmental concerns grow and cities face challenges of identity and overdevelopment, designing with respect for place becomes even more critical.
For us, contextual design is not about nostalgia or pastiche. It’s about interpreting local conditions through a contemporary lens — creating architecture that belongs to its time and its place.
This philosophy demands more time, research, and collaboration, but the results are spaces that endure. Projects that are not just visually appealing, but deeply connected to their surroundings and meaningful for the people who use them.
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