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NEO-CENTURY MODERN HOMES · PORTUGAL
HOMES DESIGNED
FOR FOUNDERS
SEEKING A FAMILY RETREAT
FROM THEIR HECTIC LIVES
WITHOUT A SLOW AND FRAGMENTED PROCESS
FOR FOUNDERS
SEEKING A FAMILY RETREAT
FROM THEIR HECTIC LIVES
WITHOUT A SLOW AND FRAGMENTED PROCESS
Work directly with Joel from the first design decisions through to your completed home.
We lead the architecture and coordinate the specialists, approvals and construction support,
so you can focus on your business while we keep your home moving forward.
We lead the architecture and coordinate the specialists, approvals and construction support,
so you can focus on your business while we keep your home moving forward.
-
Before you buy: S.I.T.R.E.P. assesses your plot or shortlist
in five working days, against the home you have in mind. - Ready to design: Our Concept Design Program develops your home concept and initial construction budget in eight weeks
- Even from abroad: Work directly with Joel, with clear steps
and scope agreed before each stage.
You like the location.
You have ideas for the house.
But you’re not sure
it all works together.
You have ideas for the house.
But you’re not sure
it all works together.
Perhaps there’s an approved design, but the layout doesn’t feel right for your family.
You want the living spaces to open onto the garden, room for everyone to gather, and somewhere to retreat.
You want to make the most of the site, without losing control of what you spend.
Before you buy, we assess your plot or shortlist against the home you have in mind.
When you’re ready to design, we develop options so you can see how your priorities work together, and where you need to make choices.
You want the living spaces to open onto the garden, room for everyone to gather, and somewhere to retreat.
You want to make the most of the site, without losing control of what you spend.
- Could I enjoy the terrace without feeling overlooked?
- Welcome family while keeping my own space?
- Make the most of the light where we spend our mornings?
Before you buy, we assess your plot or shortlist against the home you have in mind.
When you’re ready to design, we develop options so you can see how your priorities work together, and where you need to make choices.
Homes shaped around your life in Portugal
Light, proportion, materials and the relationship between your home and its settings
shape the Neo-Century Modern approach.
shape the Neo-Century Modern approach.
Guia Residence
Cascais · Completed 2025
A couple based between Latvia and Switzerland wanted to make Cascais their main home. Their plot came with approved plans; we reworked the design around the way they wanted to live, with higher ceilings, open living
spaces and privacy from close neighbours.
Sheltered terraces extend the living spaces into the garden. A dense garden and an elevated pool in glass bring shade and privacy to the outdoor areas.
A couple based between Latvia and Switzerland wanted to make Cascais their main home. Their plot came with approved plans; we reworked the design around the way they wanted to live, with higher ceilings, open living
spaces and privacy from close neighbours.
Sheltered terraces extend the living spaces into the garden. A dense garden and an elevated pool in glass bring shade and privacy to the outdoor areas.
Fairway Villa
West Cliffs Golf Resort, Óbidos · In construction
A family wanted a west-coast retreat for holidays now and everyday life later, with room for their grown-up children and future families.
Small patios offer private places for breakfast in the morning light and winter afternoons sheltered from the north wind, while the rooftop opens towards the Berlengas islands.
Generous openings connect the living spaces with layered terraces and views across the landscape.
Travertine, oak and black steel bring warmth to the interiors.
A family wanted a west-coast retreat for holidays now and everyday life later, with room for their grown-up children and future families.
Small patios offer private places for breakfast in the morning light and winter afternoons sheltered from the north wind, while the rooftop opens towards the Berlengas islands.
Generous openings connect the living spaces with layered terraces and views across the landscape.
Travertine, oak and black steel bring warmth to the interiors.
Palmares House
Palmares, Lagos · In development
Conceived as an Algarve second home for a family seeking a different pace of life.
Shaded terraces and a lakeside lounge make room for long days outdoors with family and friends, while separate guest suites preserve privacy and a show garage brings a personal passion into the home.
Conceived as an Algarve second home for a family seeking a different pace of life.
Shaded terraces and a lakeside lounge make room for long days outdoors with family and friends, while separate guest suites preserve privacy and a show garage brings a personal passion into the home.
Your next steps. One point of contact.
Project development and construction support. Each step is scoped
and priced before it begins, so you always know what you are committing to.
and priced before it begins, so you always know what you are committing to.
- Concept designExplore without limits: layouts, light, views, styles and outdoor spaces until the concept feels exactly right.
Develop a direction around the way your family lives. - Design development & ApprovalsDevelop the design, coordinate the specialists and progress the planning process.
- Detailed design & TenderingPrepare detailed drawings and specifications, and help you assess contractor proposals.
- Construction support & HandoverProvide architectural support during construction and coordinate the project’s final stages through to handover.
Start at the stage that fits your situation
Choose the plot. Develop the home. Prepare to build.
- 01 · CHOOSE YOUR PLOT
Understand what fits before you buyS.I.T.R.E.P.
One brief · Up to three plots · In five days.
The permitted area is a starting point.
SITREP connects it with the home you have in mind, through your brief, visits to the agreed sites and relevant document review.
Timing is five days from the agreed start, once payment, the necessary information and site access are in place.
- 02 · DEVELOP YOUR HOME
See your future home and what it could costCONCEPT DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Layouts, visualisations and an initial construction budget · In eight weeks.
Stop guessing.
Get a rigorous plan you can price, approve, and build.
Your Concept Pack brings together the design direction and next steps for permits, consultants and further development till construction.
In 8 weeks. No slow, fragmented process.
Hi!
I'm Joel Ricardo Rosa
I'm Joel Ricardo Rosa
The thing clients tell me most often is that I hear what
they can’t quite put into words.
It is the part of the work I care about most.
I lead the design and coordinate the architects, engineers
and specialist consultants involved at each stage.
Hi!
I'm Joel Ricardo Rosa
I'm Joel Ricardo Rosa
The thing clients tell me most often is that I hear what
they can’t quite put into words.
It is the part of the work I care about most.
I lead the design and coordinate the architects, engineers
and specialist consultants involved at each stage.
Designed for clients who aren’t here
Work directly with Joel Rosa, Lead Architect and Founder of Third Skin.
Take part in the decisions from abroad, with meetings and site involvement planned around your project.
Take part in the decisions from abroad, with meetings and site involvement planned around your project.
- Claudia L.Business Owner, USA“Living overseas limited our availability, but Joel was able to overcome this difficulty by preparing methodically for our infrequent visits.
His presentations were thorough, efficient, with all consultants as needed, questions anticipated.” - Rolf B.Business Owner, USA"Doing this over the distance, it was a little tough for us to commit initially, but Joel's communication was just so simple and easy.
He has a nice customer backend, that really keeps you up to date, with everything going on, which worked great given the distance and time difference."
Selected recognition
/
Best Luxury Villa Architecture in Portugal
Luxury Lifestyle Awards · 2024 - Guia Residence
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Best Luxury Architect Studio in Portugal
Luxury Lifestyle Awards · 2022
///
Best Residential Architecture Firm - Portugal
BUILD Awards · 2021
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Architecture Agency of the Year – Southern Europe
BUILD Awards · 2019
Before you start
What it could cost, how long it could take
and how much of your time it will need.
and how much of your time it will need.
The size of the house is only part of the picture.
The plot, ground conditions, outdoor spaces, materials and level of finish all affect what you’ll spend.
We discuss your overall budget from the start, including construction, professional fees and other project costs.
During concept design, we develop an initial construction budget alongside the design, so you can weigh your options before moving into detailed development.
That initial budget is a planning tool. Detailed pricing follows further design, specifications and contractor proposals.
The plot, ground conditions, outdoor spaces, materials and level of finish all affect what you’ll spend.
We discuss your overall budget from the start, including construction, professional fees and other project costs.
During concept design, we develop an initial construction budget alongside the design, so you can weigh your options before moving into detailed development.
That initial budget is a planning tool. Detailed pricing follows further design, specifications and contractor proposals.
Our Concept Design Program takes eight weeks.
That gives you the layouts, visualisations, initial construction budget and a direction for the next stages.
The full journey also includes design development, approvals, detailed design, contractor selection and construction.
We map these stages around your project and discuss what could affect the timing, including decisions that depend on the authorities or contractors.
If you have a particular move-in date in mind, bring it to our first conversation.
That gives you the layouts, visualisations, initial construction budget and a direction for the next stages.
The full journey also includes design development, approvals, detailed design, contractor selection and construction.
We map these stages around your project and discuss what could affect the timing, including decisions that depend on the authorities or contractors.
If you have a particular move-in date in mind, bring it to our first conversation.
You work directly with Joel.
We lead the architecture and coordinate the specialists, planning process and architectural support during construction.
You stay involved in the decisions that shape your home, with meetings and any necessary visits planned around the project and your availability.
We explain the options and what needs your approval, so you can make decisions without coordinating every consultant yourself.
The responsibilities of our team, the contractor and any other appointed professionals are agreed before each stage.
We lead the architecture and coordinate the specialists, planning process and architectural support during construction.
You stay involved in the decisions that shape your home, with meetings and any necessary visits planned around the project and your availability.
We explain the options and what needs your approval, so you can make decisions without coordinating every consultant yourself.
The responsibilities of our team, the contractor and any other appointed professionals are agreed before each stage.
Yes.
Tell us what you have and what you want the home to make possible.
If the plot’s suitability and your brief are sufficiently clear, we can discuss Concept Design directly.
Existing approved plans are part of that starting point: we review how well they fit your family and what changes may be worth exploring.
SITREP is useful when there is still a plot decision to resolve.
It is not a required first step for every project.
Tell us what you have and what you want the home to make possible.
If the plot’s suitability and your brief are sufficiently clear, we can discuss Concept Design directly.
Existing approved plans are part of that starting point: we review how well they fit your family and what changes may be worth exploring.
SITREP is useful when there is still a plot decision to resolve.
It is not a required first step for every project.
Our current focus is Lisbon-Cascais area, the Algarve and the Silver Coast.
If your plot is elsewhere, send us the location.
We’ll confirm whether we can take it on and how site involvement and travel would be arranged.
If your plot is elsewhere, send us the location.
We’ll confirm whether we can take it on and how site involvement and travel would be arranged.
Yes.
Our involvement can continue through design development, approvals, detailed design, tendering, construction support and handover.
Joel remains your direct point of contact, with the specialists and level of support agreed around the project.
Each stage has a defined scope, responsibilities and fee.
Our involvement can continue through design development, approvals, detailed design, tendering, construction support and handover.
Joel remains your direct point of contact, with the specialists and level of support agreed around the project.
Each stage has a defined scope, responsibilities and fee.
We can discuss the full journey from the beginning and agree the initial appointment first.
After the Concept Design Program, we propose the next stages and levels of support around the home you want to build.
You can then decide how you want to proceed, with the scope and fees clear.
After the Concept Design Program, we propose the next stages and levels of support around the home you want to build.
You can then decide how you want to proceed, with the scope and fees clear.
Something else? Write to Joel.
Bring your plot, your shortlist or your plans.
Find the right next step.
Find the right next step.
A 15-minute conversation with Joel to understand where you are,
what you want to create and which appointment fits.
What happens next: meet Joel for a 15-minute conversation.
We’ll identify the right starting point and agree scope and fees.
what you want to create and which appointment fits.
What happens next: meet Joel for a 15-minute conversation.
We’ll identify the right starting point and agree scope and fees.
Sending an enquiry does not reserve a review or trigger a payment.
Tell us about the plot.
Send the location, the budget you have in mind and what the house needs to do. If we can help, you will hear back within one working day with an honest yes or no — and a rough budget band attached.
- Studio Rua da Boavista 96, 1200-068 Lisboa, Portugal
- Email studio@vao.pt
- Phone +351 213 456 789
- Visits Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00–17:00, by appointment
No obligation and no discovery call unless we both want one. If the plot, the budget or the timing doesn’t work, we will say so in writing within a week.