“We started the project seeking a place with a genuinely low energy and environmental impact where we could eventually make a home. The setting at Ouriçal, the river, and the landscape around Arouca felt like exactly the right place to try to do that well.

CAS deeply understood the site. The knowledge of local materials, the attention to climate and energy, and the way the design honestly grew out of those concerns rather than being imposed on them — all made the whole thing feel meaningful. Thanks to their thoughtful approach, we went from an F to a B energy rating — something we’re genuinely proud of.

Paulo and Alina also really wanted to understand how we actually wanted to live there, how our family would use the space, and what we cared about. That made a real difference.

They took time and care on the smallest details as well as on the larger interventions — helping select some beautiful tiles, light fittings, etc., in addition to creating structural and spatial changes that transformed the house’s potential.

The process felt genuinely collaborative — like we were all on the same side, working toward something we’d all be proud of. Being in the UK while the project was in Portugal, we relied on CAS enormously to navigate contractors, local authorities, and the whole process, and they were advocates for us and for the design throughout. We came away feeling like we’d been part of something special, on a very special site.”

Matt Jones