Symmetry has, throughout history, been one of the central principles of architecture. From classical temples to the Renaissance, from the Baroque to Neoclassicism and even today’s homes, organising spaces around a central axis brings balance, legibility and an almost instinctive sense of harmony.
Atelier Matteo Arnone
It is precisely this logic that guides the project House for Two Musicians, located in the rural landscape of Carnota, near Lisbon.
Here, the ruins of an old winery are transformed into an architectural exercise in which symmetry not only structures the space, but also responds directly to the needs of those who live there.
Federico Cairoli
A mirrored design
The origin of the project was the creation of a house that would integrate two identical recording studios. This condition led Atelier Matteo Arnone to conceive, from the outset, a completely symmetrical solution, where each element finds its “double” on the opposite side.
According to the studio, “the clients’ request was very simple: two functional spaces – a living room and a bedroom – and two identical recording studios. This immediately suggested a symmetrical approach for the project.”
Federico Cairoli
The house is built on the footprint of a ruined old brick winery, located at the transition between vineyards and a wooded area. Starting from this original volume, the project introduces a series of strategic voids in the form of interior courtyards, bringing in natural light and increasing the spatial depth.
“From the beginning, the main idea was to create voids that would work as though they were ‘sculpting’ the existing volume, opening interior courtyards to bring natural light and a sense of depth that would serve the two identical spaces,” explains the studio.
The result is a perfectly balanced floor plan, where two living areas – a lounge and a bedroom – are located on the ground floor and open onto courtyards at opposite ends through large sliding glass doors.
Federico Cairoli
Minimalist architecture
The heart of the project is, however, on the upper floor, where the two recording studios are located. These spaces were designed as semicircular volumes placed back-to-back, arranged on either side of a square central courtyard, towards which they open through round windows.
These volumes extend over the lower rooms, gaining an almost sculptural presence that introduces a “subtle curiosity” into the space.
Their curved surfaces, finished in light-coloured plaster, interact with the forms of the courtyards, creating a visual continuity that runs throughout the entire complex.
Federico Cairoli
To preserve the purity of the design, a thick perimeter wall surrounds the house and “conceals” within it the functional elements: staircases, bathrooms, storage spaces and even part of the furniture.
“This choice ensures a minimalist and organised aesthetic, optimising the overall organisation of the construction. It gives total freedom to the two symmetrical spaces, allowing the architecture to remain pure and balanced,” explains the studio.
Federico Cairoli
Facing the outdoors, the house opens to the south with a long swimming pool, flanked by wooden terraces. From here, a few stone steps lead to an elevated garden, from which one can enjoy views of the gentle landscape and the vineyards that shape the surrounding scenery.