# Imposing Concrete Abodes This Portuguese Residence is an Impenetrable Fortress By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-11-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portuguese-residence References: [highsnobiety](http://www.highsnobiety.com/2014/11/03/casa-de-sambade-spaceworkers/) & [spaceworkers.pt](http://spaceworkers.pt/) Architecture firm Spaceworkers designed the 'Casa de Sambade,' a Portuguese residence located in Parades. The double-storey structure is fashioned with [textured concrete](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/binocular-house), a material that provides the exterior with an impenetrable, imposing quality. In order to achieve a level of integration inside the home, the architects excavated a space below the main living area on the first floor, ultimately submerging the lower level. The upper level is encased in a [long, concrete box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khome) featuring a terrace that stretches alongside its entire length. The open-plan spaces inside are enhanced with glass walls and sliding doors that allow natural light to enter the home easily. The [internal courtyard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lima-house) is flanked by glass walls, effectively welcoming the outdoors into the inside. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Textured Concrete Architecture:** With an increase in material technology, there are opportunities to create more unique and texturized concrete products for construction. - **Submerged Living Spaces:** Excavating a space below the main living area to submerge the lower level of households could provide more privacy and protection in rural and urban areas. - **Glass-encased Courtyards:** Using glass walls to encase courtyards is becoming a popular trend in modern architecture because of its ability to easily bring natural light indoors and provide an immersive surrounding environment. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** Architecture firms could take advantage of new technologies and designs to continue innovating and developing distinctive structures based on the latest trends such as textured concrete architecture, submerged living spaces, and glass-encased courtyards. - **Construction:** Construction companies could benefit from more modern techniques and materials to create better, more durable, and more cost-efficient homes for clients based on recent trends such as textured concrete architecture, submerged living spaces, and glass-encased courtyards. - **Real Estate:** Real estate companies could appeal to potential buyers by focusing on modern features that reflect the latest trends, such as textured concrete architecture, submerged living spaces, and glass-encased courtyards. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Blocky Stone Perimeter Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forte-house.md) - [Concrete Brutalist Hilltop Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pedro-domingos-arquitectos.md) - [Hillside Concrete Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concrete-house-1.md) - [Sloped Site Concrete Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oeiras-house.md) - [Exposed Concrete Stealthy Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-eternal-way.md) - [Robust Monolithic Walled Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-1736.md) - [Slopped-Base Green Tiled Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bak-gordon-arquitectos.md) - [Sandy Landscape-Reflective Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-da-encosta-n-grndola.md) - [Orange Tonal Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colien-house.md)