Casa do Monte in Lisbon by Leopold Banchini & Daniel Zamarbide.

Photography by Dylan Perrenoud.

A striking pink marble core slices through the concrete Casa do Monte house in Lisbon, Portugal. Leopold Banchini Architects and Daniel Zamarbide restored an abandoned building from rubble, set at the top of a steep hill accessed only via narrow steps. The traditional white façade was maintained, while the three-storey interior opens into expansive double-height spaces that amplify light and views of the Portuguese capital.

Simple, raw materials are prevalent, with thick concrete facades, floors and built-in shelving left exposed. The dominant single material leaves details to a minimum, and draws further attention to the slabs of pink and white marble from the local Estremoz quarry. The marble forms an enclosed ‘core’ on each level containing functions such as a bathroom, kitchen, and even a double bed. The surrounding space is thus left free for flexible and fluid living, with the large open spaces allowing for multifaceted, rotating use.

Photography by Leopold Banchini.

Large timber sliding doors allow residents the flexibility to separate the open plan floors into private areas and create enclosed bedrooms. Fabric curtains allow for further privacy and intimacy, offsetting the cool concrete. A fireplace fitted in the curved marble of the ground floor heats the stone core on each floor. Ground floor kitchen, living and dining rooms open onto a patio clad with traditional Portuguese tiles, with windows looking down to the city.

A spiral staircase made of thin blue steel winds through each level, culminating at the rooftop terrace. With panoramic city views, an L-shaped pool wraps around the edge of the roof, with white marble tiles cladding the remaining space. Three umbrella pines trees, recalling those that were planted by monks in front of the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte, provide shade during the hottest hours of the day.