Lighthouse
2025
Interior Architecture services
Interior Design services
About the project
Set against the raw beauty of Santa Cruz, where ocean air carries memories and every sunset feels like a moment of pause, Lighthouse is more than a home—it’s a point of connection. Inspired by the symbolic power of a lighthouse—a beacon of safety, guidance, and renewal—this project was envisioned as a serene refuge for a family rooted in history and looking toward the future. Lighthouse reflects the need for a home that shelters and uplifts, that holds the past gently while creating space for new beginnings. Timeless simplicity defines the visual language. Soft whites, beiges, and greys are paired with light wood to evoke the calm of the coastline. Natural light plays a starring role, especially in the golden hour, transforming rooms into evolving landscapes of warmth and peace. This is a place where architecture becomes emotion—a quiet sanctuary shaped by memory, light, and intention.
Location
Santa Cruz, Portugal
Project type
Residential
Area
88 m2
Typology
T2
Architect
Bárbara Faria
Interior Designer
Évina Lopes
Challenge
The design challenge was layered and deeply personal: how do you build a space that holds memories, without becoming bound to the past? How can we design for emotional continuity while still embracing change and modern living? Practical concerns were equally important—thermal and acoustic insulation were essential, given the proximity to the ocean, but could not compromise the feeling of airiness and flow. The home needed to offer comfort without clutter, and function without rigidity. Above all, the space had to support the dynamics of family life: a place to gather, to pause, to reconnect. A space that feels intimate and expansive at once.
Aproach
The design response was guided by light, memory, and meaning. We embraced a restrained, sensory minimalism that allows space for life to unfold slowly and naturally. A soft, coastal-inspired palette—whites, warm neutrals, light wood—sets the tone for a peaceful interior landscape. Every choice serves a purpose: brushed textures, natural materials, and open sightlines support both beauty and wellbeing. Natural light—especially at dusk—is treated as an architectural element, shaping the atmosphere and enhancing the emotional resonance of each room.
Symbolic details were subtly integrated, honoring family heritage and anchoring the home in continuity. At the same time, thoughtful spatial planning ensures flexibility and ease for modern routines. Lighthouse is a metaphor made real—a space that protects, guides, and invites new experiences. It’s a modern coastal retreat where the essential is celebrated, the pace is slower, and the architecture becomes a vessel for connection, calm, and quiet joy.
