João Cepeda’s House in Ribeira dos Moinhos, where architecture meets the essence of nature
Amidst the rugged landscapes shaped by time and climate, a small stream carves its path through Ribeira dos Moinhos. It is here, nestled among the commanding granite cliffs, that João Cepeda‘s house finds its place. This architectural intervention emerges as a harmonious dialogue with its surroundings, where large blocks of locally sourced granite form the dwelling’s protective shell. The house, much like the river it overlooks, embodies a fleeting yet profound reconciliation with nature.
João Cepeda’s design emphasizes the essence of shelter and nostalgia. The house’s spaces evoke a deep sense of refuge, echoing the region’s thermal heritage, now almost forgotten. The interior program is simple yet thoughtful: a private bedroom discreetly tucked away at the rear and a spacious living room oriented eastward, toward the “Ribeira dos Moinhos.” The addition of carefully crafted bathroom spaces and a rocky patio underscores a commitment to a tactile and grounded design.
The architecture balances unity with a capacity for fragmentation. The house’s character feels simultaneously distinctive and unassuming, designed with precision yet leaving room for interpretation. It rejects the traditional dogma of “form follows function,” instead proposing a design that accommodates use but can transcend it. This interplay between configuration and functionality reflects Cepeda’s philosophy, which acknowledges the unpredictable and intertwined nature of these concepts.
Drawing on influences from Álvaro Siza’s geometric clarity and Umberto Eco’s reflections on harmonizing with nature, the house exemplifies architecture’s enduring role in shaping spaces that are as timeless as they are responsive. João Cepeda’s design recognizes that nature ultimately triumphs, yet remains profoundly shaped by human intervention. Herberto Helder’s poetic assertion that “space does not exist; it is a metaphor for time” resonates in this house, where stone and time converge to create a living, enduring monument.
Guided by principles of essentiality, João Cepeda eschews fleeting trends in favor of materiality and purity. His practice is informed by his time in Japan, where he absorbed an appreciation for impermanence and the mundane’s evocative potential. These influences manifest in his pursuit of spaces that reconcile memory, presence, and belonging.
For Cepeda, architecture is a secular art form rooted in “techné”—a fusion of knowledge, experience, and intuition. It is the art of designing, building, and inhabiting, ultimately reflecting the profound art of living. This house, sculpted from ancient stone, stands as a poetic testament to that philosophy, forever intertwined with its landscape and its time.
All images courtesy of João Cepeda, shared with permission
João Cepeda: https://joaocepeda.com/
