Casa Ilha is located on top of a valley on the northern coast of Madeira, in a small rural town called Ilha. The site naturally slopes to the East, with views down the valley to the North. The site is intended for local agricultural purposes, which supply fresh products to the main house for its guests consumption.
The project was designed to rebuild an existing ruin located at the top of the site, with adjacent new living and office area, whilst housing 4 bedrooms and bathrooms at lower level. To integrate the house into its site, a sunken courtyard was designed to maximise southern and western sunlight whilst guaranteeing a natural cross ventilation throughout.
The volumes surrounding the social spaces are covered in local basalt stone, reused from the exisitng ruin found on site. In contrast to this sturdy form, the stark white bedroom volume below seems to levitate in a semi-suspended fashion over the land beyond