One of the most elementary notions in Chemistry teaches us the difference between a compound and a mixture and this notion seems perfectly applicable, in essence, to the particular case of a building. In truth, there are buildings that are composites and buildings that are mixtures (not to mention buildings that are mixed…) and in the present case of this house built in the Ofir pine forest, we sought, exactly, that it would result in a true composite and, moreover, than that, a compound in which an infinite number of factors come into play, of variable value, it is true, but all, all to be considered. That is, against the unfortunately normal case among us of making mixtures of just a few factors, a composite of many factors was attempted here. It is certainly not easy to list them all, given their variety and number, nor is it easy to list them in order of importance.
The family for whom the house is intended has its constitution, its tastes, its economic possibilities; the land has its shape, its vegetation, its constitution; in summer the unnerving North wind blows there, in winter the punishing Southwest; nearby, in Esposende and Fão, there are buildings with a very unique tone; on the other side of the river, not far away, there is granite and shale; the local workforce is not specialized; the Architect has his cultural, plastic and human training (for him, for example, the house is not just a building), he knows the meaning of terms such as organicism, functionalism, neo-empiricism, cubism, etc., and, at the same time, he feels for all the manifestations of the spontaneous architecture of your country are a boundless love that comes from far away; the land provides charming views over Cávado and Esposende; In construction, a thousand and one small (sometimes huge) problems of insolation, thermal and acoustic insulation, artificial lighting, etc., etc. still need to be resolved. And the enunciation of the factors considered would never end, some, as we have seen, external to the Architect, others belonging to his training or his own personality.
It was by letting everything and everyone speak, in a magnificent and unforgettable dialogue, trying to create a true composition, that we reached this realization. As for its intrinsic value, the future, the great judge, will say something; As for the principle adopted, there is not the slightest doubt that it is the only one to be followed so that our works reach, due to their individuality, universal value.
