Perched atop a historic castle peak within the embrace of an ancient olive grove, CASA DA MATRIZ reveals itself as a graceful sanctuary where panoramic transparency meets secluded repose. This walled hamlet was masterfully envisioned to dissolve the boundaries between its interiors and the sprawling horizon, offering an expansive connection to the landscape while remaining a private, sheltered haven of tranquillity.
With 3 full suites, powder-room and closet, living-room with library & fireplace, pantry, open-kitchen isle with dining room, outdoor pergola with fire pit, infinity pool & lounge, two outdoor dining tables (sitting 12 plus 8 people), double car porch, external laundry & bike storage, CASA DA MATRIZ was devised as an idyllic weekend home.
Wonderfully fluid and functional, where everything is instinctively at hand, it nonetheless remains magically romantic, with the light pouring through from reflections of the white calk of the outer walls and with the morning sun hitting on the vegetable garden, watered everyday by 73-year-old gardener Ezequiel with a precision that rivals Immanuel Kant’s famous Königsberg walk.
The interiors of CASA DA MATRIZ have been designed to be elegantly unassuming and effortlessly simple, offering guests a cultural canvas that encourage a slower, and more contemplative pace of life. Here, the burdens of time fade away, fostering a serene connection to the past in a truly timeless sanctuary.
Designed in a T-shape, this CASA DA MATRIZ elegantly balances social connectivity with secluded privacy. The south wing functions as the home’s culinary heart, housing the kitchen and dining area which opens directly onto a garden pergola and outdoor dining terrace. At the central intersection, the living room and study are defined by fully glazed sliding windows that foster an informal, fluid atmosphere while providing natural passive cooling through cross-ventilation. This central hub serves as the gateway to the private quarters, where an expansive master suite extends to the east and two additional guest suites branch to the west, ensuring total seclusion for all residents.
The architectural design emphasizes a dramatic interplay of materials and light: minimalist light-grey stucco and vast windows create a sharp, modern contrast against the plot’s ancient, whitewashed perimeter walls. This duality in design frames kaleidoscopic vistas, drawing the eye simultaneously towards a sun-drenched courtyard (graced by a thousand-year-old olive tree) and the imposing Arab fortress walls to the north.
