Living Between Pool and Ocean: A Portuguese Retreat
Casa Plaj in Lourinhã, Portugal, designed by extrastudio, is built on a steep coastal plot overlooking the Atlantic. The house keeps a compact footprint of 120 m² but uses height, skylights, and wide openings to bring in light and expand the sense of space.
The standout feature is the swimming pool set parallel to the sea. Surrounded by wild pine trees, the long, narrow pool mirrors the horizon and connects the property directly to its natural setting. It reinforces the house’s relationship with the landscape while providing a private place to swim and relax.
Simple plastered walls and minimal furnishings direct attention outward. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to terraces on all sides, framing views of the valley, orchards, and ocean. Every room connects to the outdoors, with natural light shifting across the interiors throughout the day.
Photography: Clemens Poloczek