House Douro Wood is a small vacation home located in the heart of the Douro River valley in Portugal. Developed with a conscious and sustainable approach, this modular wooden residence reflects a strong commitment to good practices in green architecture. From the initial design, the project aimed to minimize its impact on the surrounding landscape as much as possible. The choice of structure and cladding made from wood sourced from certified and sustainably managed forests was central, promoting low environmental impact construction and a reduced carbon footprint. The inclusion of openings in the roof allowed for the complete preservation of the existing trees on the site, reinforcing respect for the local ecosystem.
© Sérgio Garcês Marques
The building is elevated, avoiding excavations or significant alterations to the original topography. This solution respects the natural terrain and allows for the free circulation of water and wildlife.
© Sérgio Garcês Marques
The carefully selected wooden facade ensures a chromatic and material integration with the forest landscape, especially with the pines that define the surrounding scenery. The garden roof, composed of native species, enhances the thermal efficiency of the building, supports biodiversity, and functions as a natural extension of the land.
Ground Floor Plan
More than just a building set in the landscape, the Douro Wood House seems to emerge from it — discreet, integrated, and complementary. The result is a harmonious synthesis between construction and nature, where architecture not only accommodates but also preserves and enhances the territory.
Project Info:
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Architects: MJARC Arquitectos
- Country: Baião, Portugal
- Area: 60 m²
- Year: 2025
- Photographs: Sérgio Garcês Marques
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Lead Architects: Maria João Andrade, Ricardo Cordeiro
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Category: Houses
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Coordination: Ricardo Cordeiro
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Engineering & Consulting > Electrical: Turn
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Engineering & Consulting > Civil: Ambiestudos
Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial