Filipe Pina Arquitectura's Mountain Shelters in Serra da Esperança

Filipe Pina Arquitectura has completed three mountain shelters as part of The Vagar Country House development in Portugal. Located in Serra da Esperança, the 37.5 m² modular shelters are inspired by vernacular shepherd huts known as 'Choças'. They are camouflaged among native vegetation and oriented toward Cova da Beira valley with views of Serra da Estrela, mainland Portugal's highest mountain. The triangular prism volumes are built with certified wood and feature large glazed windows blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries. Each shelter can function independently as a workspace or guest accommodation. The project emphasizes sustainability and integration with the landscape, completed in 2025. The team includes architect Filipe Pina, collaborators Diana Cruz, David Bilo, André Teixeira, contractor Loopa Gestão de Obra, engineer Ricardo Pereira, and decorator Lígia Casanova. Photography by Ivo Tavares Studio.