Xieria House II is a Light-Filled Modern Home in Portugal that Harmonizes with the Surrounding Landscape

<a href="http://www.a2arquitectos.com/" target="_blank">A2+ Arquictectos</a> have built a gorgeous modern home in Leiria, Portugal, that was inspired by the ample sunlight in the Mediterranean countryside. The single-story home was designed to accentuate the use of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/seattles-ballard-library-pairs-a-sweeping-green-roof-with-natural-light/" target="_blank">natural light</a> as much as possible. Sourced from local and sustainable materials, Xieria House II harmonizes and creates symbiosis with the rich <a href="http://inhabitat.com/portugals-off-grid-garducho-biological-center-promotes-habitat-protection/" target="_blank">Portuguese landscape</a> it inhabits.

Since <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-chimney-houses-open-glass-curtains-let-the-outdoors-in/" target="_blank">sunlight played a big part</a> in the home’s design, all of the bedrooms were oriented to the east to maximize the position of the sun in the private spaces in the mornings. The kitchen was set on the west side, to bring sunlight into the space for the preparation of dinner.

The owner of the home has roots working with forestry, so A2+ tapped into the regions mythical history with forestry as an inspiration for the design of the façade. The region was once planted with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/egg-shaped-hemloft-treehouse-is-nestled-in-the-forests-of-whistler/" target="_blank">forests surrounding it</a> to protect the city from sandstorms and winds, so the architects paid homage to that legend by sourcing local pine for the outside of the home.

The single-floor home is built to encompass a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-berkeley-courtyard-house-is-cooled-by-natural-breezeways/" target="_blank">natural courtyard</a> that functions as the entrance, and blurs the lines between inside and out.

Poured concrete walls allowed the architects to create sleek curvilinear walls, but also help insulate the interior, keeping it naturally cool in the hot region.

Window eaves hang especially low to also block solar gain, and keep the interior shaded, while the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mooarc-transforms-a-15th-century-stone-barn-into-a-light-infused-modern-home/" target="_blank">large glass curtains let in light</a>.

The Xieria House II blends the history of the Portuguese regions, with an exquisite modern home that creates a comfortable living space amidst the heat of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eco-luxe-spanish-farmhouse-lures-vacationers-with-mediterranean-views-and-on-site-farm/" target="_blank">Mediterranean climate</a>.