# Blocky Stone Perimeter Homes Pema Studio Designs the Dense Enclosed Forte House in Portugal By Amy Duong | Published 2023-02-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forte-house References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2023/02/04/forte-house-pema-studio-portugal/) & [pemastudio.pt](https://www.pemastudio.pt/)  Architectural practice Pema Studio channels the concept of a [protected forest](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-guapuruvu) when designing its new Forte House located in Santo Tirso, Portugal. It is a blocky structure with white tonal hues that overtakes a neglected existing building. It sits within an [existing stone perimeter wall](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-1736) along the site and has an exterior space by the edges for a private and skylit patio space. Pema Studio states that "The house is designed in a complex balance between the creation of a dense and closed fortress and the reinterpretation of the [typical patio house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patio-house-residence), looking for a protected oasis in its intimate relationship with the sky. The intervention starts from a massive block that impertinently detaches from the limits and mimics the land plot outline." Image Credit: Pema Studio ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 14% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Protected Fortress House:** Designing homes with fortress-like qualities and oasis-like features that mimic the land plot outline to create a new sense of privacy and seclusion. - **Stone Perimeter Wall:** Incorporating existing stone perimeter walls into new building designs to create a seamless blend between old and new architecture. - **Patio House Reinterpretation:** Reinterpreting typical patio house designs to create an intimate and private relationship with the sky and surrounding natural environment. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Real Estate:** Opportunities to create new building designs that prioritize privacy and seclusion through the incorporation of fortress-like features and intimate relationship with the sky. - **Architecture:** Opportunities to explore reinterpretations of traditional architectural designs and incorporate existing structures into new designs to create a unique blend of old and new elements. - **Construction:** Opportunities to execute complex building designs that balance the creation of fortress-like qualities while also creating oasis-like spaces for relaxation and privacy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Park-Nestled Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-serra.md) - [Curved Surface Portuguese Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-house-within-a-few-lines.md) - [Concrete Brutalist Hilltop Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pedro-domingos-arquitectos.md) - [Angled Concrete Forest Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/block-wall-house.md) - [Fort-Inspired Retro Rotundas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fort-137.md) - [Compact Stone Conversions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figuier-house.md) - [Housing Block Defensive Facades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bureau-des-mesarchitecture.md) - [Blocky Courtyard Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-courtyards.md) - [Sandy Landscape-Reflective Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-da-encosta-n-grndola.md)