Maison Unifamiliale Individuelle Monchique

A work of architectural art to live in Costaneira da Fóia · Private valley · Monchique There are houses you buy. There are works you collect. This belongs to the second category. Designed by the renowned British architect Adam Richards and located in Costaneira da Fóia, this estate does not seek attention. It dominates its own valley with the quiet confidence of one who does not need to assert itself. Mature oak and eucalyptus groves frame the property, and a mountain stream flows through it unhurriedly. The architecture emerges from the landscape as if it had always been there. The main house unfolds over three floors, connected by a sequence of spaces culminating in a gallery with a double-height ceiling. The living room, spacious and bathed in natural light, flows into the kitchen and terraces, creating an atmosphere few Algarve interiors can match. The three bedrooms, each en suite with bathrooms made from top-quality materials, fulfill the same promise: comfort without artifice. Outside, terraces and porches made of flamed granite and Portuguese pavement create sequences of space that alternate between privacy and contemplation, with outdoor dining, a private pool, and the valley unfolding silently. Separate from the main residence, the guest house is a complete and independent refuge, with its own living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Perfect for family, close friends, or prestigious rental use. Built in 2008 on the footprint of a ruined farm and updated in 2025, the property combines traditional stone mastery with contemporary engineering: - Double-layer walls with high-density insulation - Aluminum frames with thermal break Gris Patine - Ash wood joinery A finalist in the Grand Designs Awards in the International category, the project was later published in 21st Century Houses: 150 of the World’s Best (Images Publishing) and Build-On: Converted Architecture & Transformed Buildings (Gestalten, 2009). Self-sufficient in water supply and sanitation, it was designed for those who value independence as much as design. Main House: - Floor 1: Two suites with outdoor access and elevator - Floor 2: Living room with open kitchen and mountain view, master suite, and a guest bathroom; direct access to terrace with barbecue - Floor 3 (Mezzanine): Office and storage room Guest House: - Floor 1: Living room with open kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms - Floor 2: Bedroom Five minutes from Monchique and less than thirty from the Algarve coast. Close to everything. Unreachable in character.