Seven Stylish Houses Form A Modern Development in Portugal

This is a set of seven residences located in the Guimarães region of Portugal. The entire development was designed and built by architecture studio Grupo Zegnea. You can check out the amazing photos taken by João Morgado below, depicting the wonderful relationship between the houses and their natural surroundings as well as between each other.

This residential development is made up of seven box-like houses
This residential development is made up of seven box-like houses

The project was completed in 2019 and is called Box XL Houses. The seven buildings mimic each other, featuring identical architecture and similar interior designs. On the lower level they all have a garage, a storage area and the entrance, with the rest of the functions being situated on the upper floor.

Although the development itself is mostly concrete, there's a lot of green land surrounding it
Although the development itself is mostly concrete, there’s a lot of green land surrounding it
The houses are all parallel to each other and oriented towards the open land in the distance
The houses are all parallel to each other and oriented towards the open land in the distance
Each house has two floors, with the upper level ending in a framed terrace with glass railings
Each house has two floors, with the upper level ending in a framed terrace with glass railings

The overall design of the houses and the development in general is modern and simple with an emphasis on practicality. Of course, that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful or stylish or welcoming. The architects made sure to leave space out the houses and to allow sufficient room for certain outdoor functions without necessarily focusing on that aspect. There’s a nice balance between nature and everything artificial and between mass and void in general even if it might seem like the whole development is just a big concrete conglomerate. The raw materials are framed by vibrant nature on almost all sides and are in harmony with their surroundings.

The ground floor area includes the entrance, storage spaces and the garage
The ground floor area includes the entrance, storage spaces and the garage
Each house also opens onto the small courtyard between it and the neighboring residence
Each house also opens onto the small courtyard between it and the neighboring residence
Inside, the architects chose to use a palette of neutral colors and simple materials
Inside, the architects chose to use a palette of neutral colors and simple materials
The minimalist interior design puts an emphasis on the view which are framed by huge panorama windows
The minimalist interior design puts an emphasis on the view which are framed by huge panorama windows
The color palette is very simple, being limited to neutral white and natural wood surfaces
The color palette is very simple, being limited to neutral white and natural wood surfaces
Each house is framed on two sides by a small courtyard with sufficient privacy and lovely views
Each house is framed on two sides by a small courtyard with sufficient privacy and lovely views
Although small, the courtyards between the houses ensure a close connection between nature and architecture
Although small, the courtyards between the houses ensure a close connection between nature and architecture
There's even enough room for a small pool in here. No big poolside deck though
There’s even enough room for a small pool in here. No big poolside deck though
All seven houses are lined up, oriented towards the view and parallel to each other
All seven houses are lined up, oriented towards the view and parallel to each other
The development offers many possibilities for customization, both inside and out
The development offers many possibilities for customization, both inside and out
The garage occupies most of the ground floor, being framed by a storage area on the other side
The garage occupies most of the ground floor, being framed by a storage area on the other side
The clean lines, minimalist architecture and raw materials fit nicely into their natural surroundings
The clean lines, minimalist architecture and raw materials fit nicely into their natural surroundings
The development is framed by a stone wall which stretches all around it
The development is framed by a stone wall which stretches all around it