Casa Varatojo is a striking residence designed by Atelier Data
Perched atop a hill in the Portugese town of Torres Vedras, Casa Varatojo is a striking residence for a family of four
(Image credit: designed by Atelier Data)

From certain faraway angles it seems as though an alien has landed on Varatojo. Named after the hill it sits atop, on the eastern edge of the growing town of Torres Vedras, Casa Varatojo was designed by Lisbon-based architects Atelier Data. Carefully sculpted in line with its natural environment, the house’s position on the hill rewards its occupants - a family of four - with unobstructed views over the town and the landscape beyond.

Graphic tour of Casa Varatojo


(Image credit: press)

Take an interactive tour of Casa Varatojo

With a client that was flexible in terms of program and design, the architects were faced with a polygonal plot situated on a north-facing hilltop where wind gusts and temperatures are relatively low. Atelier Data worked to turn these conditions into opportunities. They articulated the building (also known as Spiral House) according to the ascending Varatojo hill, swirling it around the terrain’s periphery to create a sheltered clearance that is simultaneously sunny, private, and protected from prevailing winds.

The resulting central garden is embraced by the house’s mass and its railway sleeper fence, and descends to give way to an indoor, near-infinity swimming pool that visually connects the garden to the views beyond. The prevailing winds are attenuated by sloping the house from the master bedroom and mezzanine at its highest point, to the living room; and partly sinking the rest of the volume in the hill. One of the resulting unique spaces in the house is the living room, which feels endless due to its ascending ceiling and never-ending view.

Atelier Data applied a traditional material palette that is as varied as it is colourful: the lower level of the house is clad with cork; the ground floor with sliding railway sleepers; and a terracotta-coloured coat on the upper level. The house is also surrounded by a carefully picked selection of local plants.

The project revels in the terrain’s particular features by reinventing traditional residential typologies and providing unique private and social spaces. As polygonal as its plot, the Casa Varatojo echoes the hilly landscape at its feet and the passing wind in a way that elevates it both literally and metaphorically from the typical dwelling.

Casa Varatojo side view

The house rethinks traditional housing typologies by directly responding to its natural environment and making use of an unusual but beautiful combination of traditional materials

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View from the house’s position on the hill

Carefully sculpted in line with its natural environment, the house’s position on the hill rewards its occupants with unobstructed views over the town and the landscape beyond

(Image credit: press)

The pared-down interiors feature a polished concrete floor and ascending ceiling

The pared-down interiors feature a polished concrete floor and ascending ceiling

(Image credit: press)

The Dining room in Casa Varatojo

The dining room feels light, spacious, and infinite

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Open plan kitchen, fitted out with contemporary furnishings

The open plan kitchen, fitted out with contemporary furnishings, shares a similarly spectacular view to the living spaces

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Dark finish for the master bathroom, which looks onto a bamboo-planted garden giving it a tranquil atmosphere

The architects used a dark finish for the master bathroom, which looks onto a bamboo-planted garden giving it a tranquil atmosphere

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Enclosure made from railway sleepers protects the hilltop home from the wind

An enclosure made from railway sleepers protects the hilltop home from the wind

(Image credit: press)

The central garden descends to give way to an indoor, near-infinity swimming pool that visually connects the garden to the views beyond

The central garden descends to give way to an indoor, near-infinity swimming pool that visually connects the garden to the views beyond

(Image credit: press)

Swimming pool offering the family a place for quiet respite

The swimming pool offers the family a place for quiet respite

(Image credit: press)

Housing spa and cinema facilities, the lower floor of the house has a tranquil feel

Housing spa and cinema facilities, the lower floor of the house has a tranquil feel

(Image credit: press)

The lower level of the house is clad with cork; the ground floor with sliding railway sleepers; and a terracotta-coloured coat on the upper level. The house is also surrounded by a carefully picked selection of local plants

Atelier Data applied a traditional material palette that is as varied as it is colourful: the lower level of the house is clad with cork; the ground floor with sliding railway sleepers; and a terracotta-coloured coat on the upper level. The house is also surrounded by a carefully picked selection of local plants 

(Image credit: press)
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