My friend Mark has excellent taste in vacation houses, often spotting exactly the kind of place I would want to reside in all year round! Here’s another stellar pick of his currently featured in ArchDaily.com.

This house in Melides, on the southern Alentejo Coast of Portugal, is by architect Pedro Reis. Locating the dwelling in such as way as to limit impacting the topography of the site while affording superb sight lines, the two level property has public and private zones constructed of concrete and glass. The upper level is for gathering and celebration (and the master suite), while the lower level are guest accommodations. As the article says “The experience of this house aims to concentrate on its essence, on being inside and out, on contemplating and lingering, highlighting a enjoyable sense of living, close to the amenities of urban life.” Isn’t that what it’s all about?

~ Steven

Photographs: FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra