Stop guessing.
Get a rigorous plan you can price, approve, and build.
Concept Design Experience: from idea to buildable concept in 8 weeks
Wake up in your New Family Retreat
before you’ve signed a single permit.
—
No construction
no permits
no drawn-out design process
—
just pure, unadulterated design genius.
Who this is for
Busy founders and families who want a modern home without a multi-year maze.
You want strategic clarity, realistic costs, and a confident plan before heavy commitments.
You want strategic clarity, realistic costs, and a confident plan before heavy commitments.
In today’s fast-paced world, time is a luxury.
Our clients are high achievers who value efficiency, quality, and personalization but...
... often lack the time for the traditional, lengthy design process.
This service aims to bridge that gap, providing a swift yet comprehensive solution.
Our Concept Design Experience offers a fast track to bespoke, high-quality living spaces
for busy entrepreneurs seeking a retreat from their hectic lives ...
… WITHOUT the drag of traditional design timelines
… OR the need for a full-scale commitment.
... often lack the time for the traditional, lengthy design process.
This service aims to bridge that gap, providing a swift yet comprehensive solution.
Our Concept Design Experience offers a fast track to bespoke, high-quality living spaces
for busy entrepreneurs seeking a retreat from their hectic lives ...
… WITHOUT the drag of traditional design timelines
… OR the need for a full-scale commitment.
Are you frustrated with...
- Time Wasted:
- Researching local culture, regulations, and market conditions.
- Coordinating with multiple, often inexperienced, professionals.
- Lost Enthusiasm:
- Frustration with the lengthy and complex design process.
- Overwhelmed by numerous decisions about materials, design, features, budget, and sustainability options.
- Resources Squandered:
- Engaging with professionals lacking industry recognition, specialization, and certifications.
- Dealing with design revisions due to regulatory non-compliance or requests to match your criteria.
- Expensive Problems:
- Costly alternative studies and alteration requests from weak initial planning.
- Project delays leading to increased expenses and missed deadlines.
Our Solution
An focused service that not only kickstarts your architectural project
but also offers a unique journey through design, art, and culture in just two months.
What you get in 8 weeks:
but also offers a unique journey through design, art, and culture in just two months.
What you get in 8 weeks:
-
Vision + StrategyLifestyle goals, constraints, must-wins. -
Site logicNavigate local regulations and market conditions effortlessly.
Sun, wind, views, privacy, approach, levels, massing. -
Concept architectureA 3-dimensional design that make sense on your plot. -
Editorial VisualsKey views and VR walkthroughs that show atmosphere and materials of your future home. -
Cost EstimatesRealistic € / m² and total range, with main value drivers. -
Permit and Building PathKnow the steps, likely timelines, known roadblocks. -
Decision PackA beautifully crafted Vision Book, a personalized keepsake of your design journey + source files you can share with family, agents, or consultants. -
Time-EfficientSave time with a well-organized, timely design process that keeps momentum without rushing decisions
Apply for a 20-min Strategy Call
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
The 8-week Process
While the timeline can vary, a typical experience takes about eight weeks to complete, following a highly interactive roadmap that balances speed with deep exploration of the project’s opportunities.
A typical process outline is:
A typical process outline is:
Week 1: Intake, constraints, site model, success criteria.
_
Week 2–3: Spatial strategy and architectural forms. Quick options. Pick a direction.
Week 4–5: Plans & Flows that work for you and for the plot.
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Week 6: Look & Feel - Materials, light, and exterior rhythm.
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Week 6: Look & Feel - Materials, light, and exterior rhythm.
Week 7: Visuals and diagrams.
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Week 8: Cost bands, permit path, final decision pack, next-step plan.
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Week 8: Cost bands, permit path, final decision pack, next-step plan.
Outcomes that matter
_
_
A Concept Design you can feel, touch, price and defend.
With:
A Comprehensive Project Plan you can move into engineering and permitting, with detailed timelines, key milestones, and a clear, no-nonsense pricing structure for a smooth project execution and construction.
Fewer surprises. Fewer re-design loops. More momentum.
By the end of eight weeks, we have a beautifully articulated design vision and a clear path forward for bringing it to reality, with everyone involved fully aligned on the next steps.
With:
- a Vision Book including concept sketches, general plans and renderings, mood boards, material samples, and photographs from showroom and gallery visits
- Virtual Reality Walkthroughs for guided and independent exploration of your future home.
- A curated selection of premium material samples. From luxurious woods to exquisite tiles, our samples will help you envision the tactile essence of your future home.
A Comprehensive Project Plan you can move into engineering and permitting, with detailed timelines, key milestones, and a clear, no-nonsense pricing structure for a smooth project execution and construction.
Fewer surprises. Fewer re-design loops. More momentum.
By the end of eight weeks, we have a beautifully articulated design vision and a clear path forward for bringing it to reality, with everyone involved fully aligned on the next steps.
Pricing and format
A €950 Architect’s First Look can precede the Experience.
Credited on upgrade
Essential
€20,000
€20,000
Remote.
Same 8-week outcome.
Same 8-week outcome.
Signature
€30,000
€30,000
Includes on-site sessions
and select partner visits.
and select partner visits.
Apply for a 20-min Strategy Call
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
Not quite ready for a CONCEPT DESIGN EXPERIENCE?
The ARCHITECT'S FIRST LOOK is a good place to start.
(950€ credit | Plot criteria, risks, and next steps ready to execute)
The ARCHITECT'S FIRST LOOK is a good place to start.
(950€ credit | Plot criteria, risks, and next steps ready to execute)
- What it is notConstruction drawings, tender docs, or municipal approvals.
It is the strategic design phase that de-risks all of that. - How decisions are madeWe keep options tight.
Clear trade-offs.
No design by committee.
You approve at defined checkpoints so the project keeps its edge. - Limited availabilityOne active Program per quarter.
Quality over queue.
FAQs
- Q:How accurate are costs?A:They are realistic bands based on scope, finish level, and current market data. Final numbers come at tender.
- Q:Can we start without a plot?A:No. Our concept design is always aligned to a specific site. Orientation, slope, views, access, setbacks and local rules shape the architecture. If you want help comparing plots, start with the Architect’s First Look to shortlist and sanity-check candidates with your agent.
- Q:Will this pass permits?A:We align with rules and highlight risks. Formal approval depends on the authorities and later stages.
- Q:Do you work beyond Lisbon area and Algarve?A:Yes. Portugal and select international cases.
Apply for a 20-min Strategy Call
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
Works for Reference
Explore our portfolio to see the quality and creativity we bring to every design
FAIRWAY VILLA
West Cliffs Golf Resort | OBIDOS
Blurring the lines between indoors and out as you relax in an ambiance of unmatched elegance and comfort. ✨
Blurring the lines between indoors and out as you relax in an ambiance of unmatched elegance and comfort. ✨
PALM VILLA
Palmares Ocean Living & Golf | LAGOS
Spectacular coastline views and warm Algarve sun
make the home feel open and breezy. ☀️
Spectacular coastline views and warm Algarve sun
make the home feel open and breezy. ☀️
FUTURE FUSION
Albaplas Lake, NETHERLANDS
Experience a marvel of modern design, where futuristic architecture
meets serene lakeside living in a suspended haven. 💧
Experience a marvel of modern design, where futuristic architecture
meets serene lakeside living in a suspended haven. 💧
CASA DA GUIA
Quinta da Pedra | CASCAIS
A modern Oasis crafted for a beautiful and successful family
in the heart of Cascais. 🌿
A modern Oasis crafted for a beautiful and successful family
in the heart of Cascais. 🌿
CLIFFSIDE HAVEN
SILVERCOAST
Immerse yourself in an oceanic panorama
right from your doorstep 🌊
Immerse yourself in an oceanic panorama
right from your doorstep 🌊
SURFSIDE RETREAT
Guest House | SILVERCOAST
Dive into the laid-back surf culture with the beach just steps away,
perfect for a sun-soaked, carefree escape. 🏄♂️
Dive into the laid-back surf culture with the beach just steps away,
perfect for a sun-soaked, carefree escape. 🏄♂️
Hear from our clients
Don't take my word for it.
Feel the excitement, and understand the value our work brought to their lives.
Feel the excitement, and understand the value our work brought to their lives.
- Hi there, this is Rolf from California.
We bought a home in the Silvercoast area and needed help figuring out what to do with our large lot.
Luckily I ran into Third Skin Architecture and Joel was really helpful in getting this started.
So we decided to trust him to do an architectural project for us to really evaluate our space and to look for options there. Of course, 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, which I didn't realize at first, that really keeps you up to date, with everything going on, which worked great given the distance and time difference.
He provided a well-thought-out plan after thorough discussions and site visits, so we're really happy with the outcome and highly recommend Joel and Third Skin Architecture for their excellent service.Rolf B.Business Owner | U.S.A. - Joel worked on our project since the early conceptual design phase and became our trusted single point of contact.
Living overseas limited our availability to undertake such a large project, 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, and team members coordinated.
We now have a contemporary, spacious and wow property that we are proud to show off.
The blend of his personal style and an understanding of ours led to a beautiful, practical, and unique home.Claudia ListopadBusiness Owner | U.S.A. - Hi Joel,
We are good, looking forward to go back to Portugal.
We love your original design.
Having 3,5 m tall windows on the first floor - that would be a wow factor when you walk in.
Again, Harold and I thank you for your amazing work and fast response.
Have a great weekend!Viktorija D.Entrepreneur | LATVIA - Working with Joel was very easy from the start.
Getting the message, which we felt would always be the most complicated stage, was very simple.
Joel caught our intentions, always taking into account what we could or could not do, and gave us the opportunity to live our home in a way that we never would think possible.Sofia C. & Sérgio M.MULTI-BUSINESSES OWNERS | PORTUGAL - Hi Joel,
thank you so much for your time and energy on "my" project. I'm really not used to that in my life, so this is a completely new experience for me, but it feels very good and priceless.
best regards,Jurgen R.C.E.O. | AUSTRIA - Hey Joel.
Just to say we loved the pool design.
You really captured what we didn't know we wanted.
So thanks so much!Rachael & Alex H.Business Founders | ENGLAND - Hi Joel,
The design is looking great and we love it!Mark W.SOUTH AFRICA
Apply for a 20-min Strategy Call
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
We accept a limited number of projects each year. Share goals and constraints; we’ll confirm fit and next steps.
Not quite ready for a CONCEPT DESIGN EXPERIENCE?
The ARCHITECT'S FIRST LOOK is a good place to start.
(950€ credit | Plot criteria, risks, and next steps ready to execute)
The ARCHITECT'S FIRST LOOK is a good place to start.
(950€ credit | Plot criteria, risks, and next steps ready to execute)