Forrest Homes, 2019

Located in the North Atlantic, between the European and the American Continents, distancing 1600 km from mainland Portugal (Europe) and 2454 km from Canada (North American continent)m the nine islands of the Azores Archipelago are a world apart.

Even though called the grey or black island, due to its volcanic soil, Pico is an island rich in colours and textures, from the green pastures and slopes to the vivid colours of its architectural features, to the rich flora and fauna to the always varying textures of its omnipresent volcanic rock, it is a joy to discover and explore. 

The eight houses and swimming pool of the Forest homes architecture takes full advantage of the views of the landscape and the sea, and also of the characteristics of the terrain on which the houses are situated, slopes and forest.

The breathtaking views direct to the ocean have the Island of São Jorge as background.

Immersed in as inspiring force of nature, each Forest Home is planned and designed as "house is the trees"

The island's heritage and nature is celebrated with the use of local materials like the basalt stone and cryptomeria japonica wood.

Volcanic rock and stone, panoramic glass windows, local wood (cryptomeria japonica), are materials that gather to create a home that makes the most of the mountain site, while highlighting the sea views, and the surroundings - vivid green pastures and slopes, a truly picturesque and nature environment.

The houses with 60sm2 to 80sm2 with private terraces offer a perfect integration with nature, while maintaining an intimate and secluded space ideal to contemplate the wonderful surrounding landscape.

All houses will offer high-energy efficiency for greater sustainability and less environmental impact.

Raising the wood material to another level. The trunk that had always been attached and hidden in the depth of the Earth rises to another dimension, where it is possible to admire the great Ocean. And the better way to do it, is to create a volcanic basalt stone base to support it, the natural material that was the origin of the Island. The local basalt is the foundation that supports a local wood central block, that allows a panoramic and cosy shelter.

"Pico is the most beautiful, the most extraordinary island of the Azores; a unique beauty of an admirable colour and with a strange power of attraction. It is more than an Island - it is a statue erected up to the sky and shaped by fire.

Raul Brandão , The Unknown Islands