![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 1 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b9ff/284d/d17f/3000/05c0/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(18).jpg?1560984019)
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Architects: BICA Arquitectos
- Area: 3229 ft²
- Year: 2019
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Photographs:Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
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Manufacturers: Acor
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Lead Architect: Inês Cortesão
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Exterior Photography, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b7df/284d/d137/2600/0abc/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(2).jpg?1560983486)
Text description provided by the architects. The principle of this house was to promote maximum integration in the existing pinewood landscape.
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 4 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b86d/284d/d17f/3000/05b9/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(6).jpg?1560983626)
The desire to establish visual continuity with the surroundings is present in the material chosen to cover the whole volume of the house - resembling pine bark - that emphasizes a white suspended slab which is at the same time floor and roof.
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 10 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b88f/284d/d137/2600/0abf/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(7).jpg?1560983664)
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 25 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b4c8/284d/d17f/3000/05b6/newsletter/Piso_0.jpg?1560982702)
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 13 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b929/284d/d17f/3000/05bc/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(12).jpg?1560983825)
The upper floor emerges as a short glass box, because it dips on the ground floor which wants to be connected to the ground. This transparent volume is full of windows so that the surrounding landscape could be part of (and visually enriches) all interior spaces with light and natural paintings.
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Interior Photography, Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b991/284d/d137/2600/0ac2/medium_jpg/Casa_Aroeira_(15).jpg?1560983927)
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Image 26 of 32](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b565/284d/d137/2600/0abb/newsletter/Piso_1.jpg?1560982858)
![Herdade da Aroeira House / BICA Arquitectos - Exterior Photography, Forest](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d0a/b7bd/284d/d17f/3000/05b7/newsletter/Casa_Aroeira_(1).jpg?1560983454)
On the exterior and at night, it is possible to see the upper volume as a great glass skylight that reflects and mirrors the canopies of the pine trees that surround the house. Inside, the upper floor submerges on the ground floor through two large suspended volumes, interrupted by an apparently floating interior staircase.