![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-7.jpg)
House in Paço de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto
Portuguese studio Jorge Mealha Arquitecto have completed a house in Lisbon, Portugal, featuring clusters of rectangular volumes and courtyards.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-1.jpg)
Called House in Paço de Arcos, the building sits on a sloping site and the volumes have been arranged in such a way to maximise the amount of sunlight that enters the interior.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-4.jpg)
A central glazed walkway connects two parts of the structure.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-3.jpg)
The house is finished primarily in white.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-6.jpg)
Photographs are by Fernando Guerra, courtesy of the architects.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-5.jpg)
More residential architecture on Dezeen »
See more projects in Portugal »
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-8.jpg)
The following information is from the architects:
House in PaÁo de Arcos
Located at Alto do Lagoal in PaÁo de Arcos, a neighborhood of Lisbon facing the sea, this house has been built on a sloping site and proposes as main strategy an arrangement of several solids in order to attenuate the overall mass due to the functional program requested by the client.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-9.jpg)
This arrangement of different solids and voids, uses large plain surfaces and some in-between tensioned spaces to let light draw or reflect on the objects, emphasizing geometry and proposing a changeable reading of form and space during the day.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-10.jpg)
Some surfaces, covered by metal screening/shading devices, create large smooth textured plans on two facades of the house hiding windows and enhancing form, acting also as a kind of diaphragm device to filter the views between interior and exterior.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-11.jpg)
Also act as a passive sunshade control between internal and external spaces.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-12.jpg)
Some circulations, as the staircase and main corridor are built in white painted 10mm metal sheet slightly detached from the walls, leaving opportunity for light, caught by the long skylight to pass in between and spread to the lower floors.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-13.jpg)
The external envelope, a ìin situî concrete structure, integrates a double row masonry of perforated ceramic blocs as external walls, including inner rigid thermal insulation panels.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-14.jpg)
External walls finishes are in cement plaster painted.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-15.jpg)
Windows are in standard natural aluminum color profiles integrating double thermal glass.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-16.jpg)
In the interior, the walls main finish is plaster painted in white except in the bathrooms where the walls are covered in white/grey natural striped marble.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-17.jpg)
The circulation areas floors, corridors and staircases are in plain or folded 10mm thickness metal plates, painted with white mate epoxy enamel.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-18.jpg)
The bedrooms floors are finished in industrial wood parquet whit colorless wax varnish finish.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-19.jpg)
Social areas are covered with polished white stone and kitchen in brilliant black ceramic sandstone.
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-20.jpg)
Architect: Jorge Mealha
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-21.jpg)
Design Team: Arch. Jo„o SÌtima, Arch. LuÌs Banazol, Arch. Pedro Pereira, Arch., Marcelo Dantas
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-23.jpg)
Location: Alto do Lagoal, PaÁo de Arcos, Lisbon, Portugal
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-22.jpg)
Client: Margarida e AntÛnio Lemos
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-24.jpg)
Use: Single Housing
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-25.jpg)
Site Area: 907 m2
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-26.jpg)
Building Gross Area: 388,50 m2
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-27.jpg)
Floor Net Area: 302 m2
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-28.jpg)
Landscape Area: 629 m2
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-29.jpg)
Coverage Ratio: 30,6 %
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-30.jpg)
Gross Floor Ratio: 77,74 %
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-31.jpg)
Project Year: Sept. 2003-March 2004
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-33.jpg)
Construction: 2006-2010
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-34.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-35.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-36.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-37.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-38.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-39.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-40.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-41.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-42.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-43.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-44.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-45.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-46.gif)
Click for larger image
![House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto House in Paco de Arcos by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_House-in-Paco-de-Arcos-by-Jorge-Mealha-Arquitecto-47.gif)
Click for larger image
See also:
.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
House in Tróia by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto |
House in Meco by Jorge Mealha Arquitecto |
Black & White House by AGi architects |