The Mountain Shelters by Filipe Pina Arquitectura exemplify a sensitive approach to rural hospitality, merging contemporary design with vernacular wisdom and ecological responsibility. Through careful siting, material honesty, and a commitment to sustainability, the project offers a compelling vision for architecture’s ongoing dialogue with nature – one that is as respectful as it is innovative.
The project was completed this year, continue reading to discover more of the project:
Set within the sweeping 250 hectares of The Vagar Country House, the Mountain Shelters project reimagines the archetype of the shepherd’s hut for the 21st century. Located at three strategic points across the Serra da Esperança, each shelter is designed to both honor and preserve the ecological and landscape heritage unique to this region of Portugal. The architectural language draws directly from the “Choças” – vernacular stone huts deeply woven into the area’s pastoral history – while leveraging contemporary sustainable practices.
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Camouflaged among endemic vegetation and granite outcrops, the shelters are oriented toward the dramatic Cova da Beira valley, offering uninterrupted views to the Serra da Estrela, the highest peak in continental Portugal. The placement of each volume is carefully considered to respect the existing topography, allowing the built form to recede into the landscape and foreground the region’s natural drama.
Design and Materiality
The architectural response is both minimal and site-specific. Each shelter is conceived as an equilateral triangular prism, its compact form echoing the efficiency and resilience of its vernacular predecessors. The modular approach enables each unit to function independently as either a workspace or a guest retreat, maximizing flexibility for users while maintaining a continuous visual and spatial dialogue with the outdoors.
Certified timber is the primary construction material, selected for its durability and ability to weather gracefully over time. This choice ensures the shelters will age in harmony with their environment, deepening their integration with the landscape. Expansive glazed openings frame panoramic views and flood the interiors with natural light, dissolving the threshold between inside and out. The result is an immersive spatial experience that connects occupants to the rhythms and textures of the surrounding terrain.
Sustainability and Function
Sustainability is at the core of the design strategy. The shelters’ modular assembly simplifies logistics and minimizes site intervention, reducing the project’s ecological footprint. The compact volume, just 37.50 m², houses all essential functions within a single body, with the bathroom and storage block serving as the sole divider between living and sleeping areas. This clarity of organization supports both comfort and efficiency, essential for remote hospitality settings.
The project’s ambition extends beyond providing shelter; it seeks to cultivate environmental awareness and foster a culture of stewardship. By demonstrating how architecture can enhance and regenerate its context, the Mountain Shelters offer a model for low-impact, high-quality rural tourism. The design enables deployment in other sensitive landscapes, always integrating harmoniously with local ecosystems.
Discover more of the project by Filipe Pina Arquitectura in our gallery:
Project: Abrigos de Montanha – Mountain Shelters
Architecture Office: Filipe Pina Arquitectura
Main Architect: Filipe Pina
Collaborators: Diana Cruz, David Bilo, André Teixeira
Client: The Vagar – Country House
Location: Serra da Esperança, Belmonte, Portugal
Year of Completion: 2025
Total Built Area: 37.50 m²
Builder: Loopa Gestão de Obra
Engineering: Ricardo Pereira
Decoration: Lígia Casanova
Photography: Ivo Tavares Studio (www.ivotavares.net)
Official Website: www.fp-a.pt
