CONTEMPLATION
VISI|134
REACHED BY A DIRT ROAD, THIS SLEEK PORTUGUESE HOME BLENDS BRIGHT VOLUMES OF CONCRETE, WOOD AND GLASS WITH INTERIORS FULL OF UNIQUE PIECES MADE BY LOCAL CRAFTSMEN. THERE'S A SIMPLICITY TO BOTH THE STRUCTURE AND THE INTERIORS THAT MASKS THE THOUGHT AND CONSIDERATION BEHIND THE DESIGN.
LAURENCE DOUGIER
CONTEMPLATION

THE STARS BEGIN TO FADE, and a softness envelops the sky in the hilly Alentejo landscape. Dawn is magical here. Towards the east, light pierces the sky like an arrow; a few minutes later, the sun washes across the pastures and the cork oak groves. At this time, this contemporary building seems to awaken, vibrating under a golden glow that’s echoed by the wood cladding on the facade and interior walls.

Cleverly concealed in the rural landscape, the home designed by Lisbon-based architect Gonçalo Bonniz blends into the hills thanks to its chromatic hues of grey slate, raw concrete and Kebony timber, which frame the huge windows. Anything that’s superfluous has been removed from the structure and pared back to the essentials, lightening the form to emphasise the substance.

The interiors were designed by Emma Pucci and Valentina Pilia, founders of the textile showroom and design studio Flores, also based in Portugal’s capital city. “We first defined a colour palette for the project,” say Emma and Valentina. “The tones were inspired by the warm earth hues and ochres of the Alentejo, the old cork oaks and their bark, and Verdigris; we also used off-white and cream.”

Denne historien er fra 134-utgaven av VISI.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra 134-utgaven av VISI.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA VISISe alt
THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN ICON
VISI

THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN ICON

With a long line of very successful ancestors, the new-generation TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO had some big tyres to fill. We look at the approach its design team took to CONTINUE THE LEGACY.

time-read
4 mins  |
134
THROUGH THE LENS
VISI

THROUGH THE LENS

We asked one of VISI's favourite photographers, PARIS BRUMMER, to choose her four FAVOURITE CAMERAS. The brief? \"From the fun to the profesh!\"

time-read
2 mins  |
134
YOUR GARDEN DAY CROWN
VISI

YOUR GARDEN DAY CROWN

Gardens have the power to unite us - which is why the GARDEN DAY movement encourages plant enthusiasts to don a flower crown and CELEBRATE THEIR GREEN SPACES in unique ways.

time-read
2 mins  |
134
RETRO-LICIOUS
VISI

RETRO-LICIOUS

Mid-century is not just making an interior design comeback: food is following right behind. So put on your vintage 1950s LUCIENNE DAY-PRINT APRON - or '70s HALSTON JUMPSUIT if you're feeling a little funkier - and get inspired by ABIGAIL DONNELLY's reimagining of classic dishes. Think moulded jellies, finger foods and soft-serve ice cream.

time-read
2 mins  |
134
FERMENTATION
VISI

FERMENTATION

When you hear about FERMENTED FOODS, your mind probably goes to pickles and beer. But thanks to a growing interest in Asian staples such as kimchi and miso, we're becoming more used to these flavour profiles, and even seeing them in fine-dining restaurants. We asked ABIGAIL DONNELLY to share her favourite recipes for fermented flavour bombs that you can replicate in your OWN KITCHEN.

time-read
4 mins  |
134
THE CERAMICIST
VISI

THE CERAMICIST

IN AN ART DECO BLOCK IN THE HEART OF CAPE TOWN'S CITY CENTRE, RENOWNED CERAMICIST MERVYN GERS HAS RENOVATED AN APARTMENT TO REFLECT HIS OWN TASTES AND HIS LOVE FOR FIRED AND GLAZED CLAY.

time-read
3 mins  |
134
SEAMLESS
VISI

SEAMLESS

SITUATED ON A PRIVATE GAME FARM NEAR RUSTENBURG, THIS BUSHVELD GETAWAY HAS ARISEN FROM THE ASHES OF ITS PREDECESSOR TO PROVIDE ITS JOBURG-BASED OWNERS WITH A TRANQUIL WEEKEND ESCAPE.

time-read
2 mins  |
134
BUILDING AN ICON
VISI

BUILDING AN ICON

Kevin Fellingham, principal architect at Kevin Fellingham Architects, and a former lecturer at Cambridge University, UCT and the School of Explorative Architecture, talks about HOUSE HANSON and DENSTONE COURT, built in 1937/38.

time-read
4 mins  |
134
THE VANGUARD KELLY WEARSTLER
VISI

THE VANGUARD KELLY WEARSTLER

In this instalment of our series on the new wave of INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS, we look at the super-talented Kelly Wearstler's DISTINCT STYLE and seemingly INFINITE CREATIVITY.

time-read
2 mins  |
134
COOL COLLAB OF THE YEAR
VISI

COOL COLLAB OF THE YEAR

In a partnership that highlights the strength and diversity of local talent, this collaboration by LULASCLAN and POPSTRUKT had an unplanned helping hand from VISI.

time-read
1 min  |
134