Nestled amongst olive groves and orange trees on the side of a small hill sits Villa Extramuros, a guest house located on the outskirts of the ancient town of Arraiolos, in Portugal. Designed by Vora Arquitectura, the dwelling is inspired by both the majestic manor houses of the Alentejo region and the clean lines of modern architecture.

Numerous socialising areas are available to guests, whether they wish to lounge in the villa's secluded courtyards, relax in the communal living areas or feast in the central dining room. The use of exposed concrete throughout the villa adds to the modern appeal, while cork lines a selection of exterior walls and surfaces. The villa's Parisian owners have balanced out the concrete, glass and marble of the interior with designer pieces from Jean Prouve, Marc Newson and Pierre Paulin, also incorporating local Alentejan handicraft to create a warm and accommodating space. 

Spacious, breezy and completely connected to the countryside that surrounds it, Villa Extramuros seems to balance the history of the region with the contemporary demands of tourism perfectly.

Via Arch Daily