If there was ever a question of whether professional surfing paid well or not, then think again. The “U House” is situated within Ericeira — a World Surfing Reserve — and was designed specifically for three-time national surfing champion, José Gregório and his family. The predominant design mentality for the home stemmed from ancient Mediterranean patio houses. The moniker for the home earns its name from the patio which is situated within the plateau of the home and sandwiched in between two long wings. The architecture of the house is decidedly stark white and stands in contrast to the neighboring greenery in which it abides. And yet, while the exterior does not boast an explicit “green” aesthetic, the architects infused a plethora of sustainable elements into the design including cork as a primary isolation element, natural cooling and heating via passive design, as well as rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes.
