Mário Martins is synonymous with elegant architectural language that integrates contemporary design with the raw beauty of the Algarve. His projects embrace southern Portugal’s unique topography, light, and atmosphere, crafting sculptural spaces intimately connected to their surroundings. At the core of his work is a dedication to purity, fluidity, and precision. This article explores three extraordinary residences where OTIIMA’s minimalist window systems enhance the architectural vision: Libre House, Voluta House, and Lioz House.
Libre House
Perched atop a gentle slope, Casa Libre epitomizes the dialogue between architecture and nature. Its monolithic white forms contrast with the rugged landscape, creating a visual serenity that extends beyond its physical boundaries. The expansive glass façades dissolve the separation between interior and exterior, framing panoramic views of the Atlantic horizon. Here, liberty’ is a tangible experience of openness, weightlessness, and a deep connection with the surrounding elements.
©Fernando Guerra
Voluta House
Voluta House unfolds in fluid, sinuous gestures, echoing the coastal contours and the movement of the wind. Every line is intentional, and every curve is an invitation to explore spatial continuity. OTIIMA’s solutions maintain this fluidity, which allows the glass to function as an architectural element rather than a mere enclosure. The interplay of natural light and shadows, enhanced by the transparency of windows, transforms the interior into a living canvas where architecture and landscape converge.
©Fernando Guerra
Lioz House
Clad in lioz limestone, a material deeply embedded in Portugal’s architectural tradition, this house exudes a sense of permanence and quiet strength. The interplay between solid and void is choreographed, with OTIIMA’s discreetly integrated window systems introducing an ethereal contrast to the heavy stone volumes. This delicate balance allows the residence to remain grounded yet visually weightless.
©Fernando Guerra
As these three residences illustrate, the intersection of Mário Martins’ visionary designs and OTIIMA’s solutions creates spaces that transcend the ordinary. Here, architecture is about emotion, experience, and the infinite possibilities of space.
