Architects: Alvaro Leite Siza
Client: Luís Marinho Leite Barbosa da Silva
Location: Lugar das Carvalhinhas – Alvite, freguesia de Cerva, Ribeira da Pena District
Site Area: 1000 sqm
Constructed Area: 180 sqm
Contractor: Óscar Gouveia
Landscape: Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira
Materials: Concrete
Services: GOP
Project Start: 2000
Project Complete: 2005
Photographers: Alvaro Leite Siza / F&S Guerra
More information at archdaily.com (accessed March 3rd, 2010)
The Casa Tolo is a interesting building due to it's form. The site is a face of a hill. The Architect Alvaro Leite Siza has used this to create views, split the living areas and allow the building to receive optimal solar exposure. (Nico Saieh, 2008)
As a house to live in everyday, the structure has a lot of impracticalities. for example every living space is at a different level, therefore a lot of physical activity is required to move through the house. This is a good example of designing with site context in mind. Although the building is mainly concrete it blends in the with it's the natural surroundings well.
Photography By Fernando Guerra.
Diagrams i drew to understand the form and spaces of the Casa Tolo
Saieh, N. 2008. Tolo House / Alvaro Leite Siza. http://www.archdaily.com/893/tolo-house-alvaro-leite-siza/ (accessed 16th March, 2010).
